Eisteddfod's free ticket goldrush leaves scores of happy people

* And they're off! People dash onto the field to begin the treasure hunt.

Scores of local people had fun this morning hunting for golden envelopes containing coveted free tickets to all the evening concerts being held as part of this year’s Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

The big goldrush on the Eisteddfod field began at precisely 10am when scores of people who had been waiting patiently at both main gates were let loose to start frantically combing hedges, outbuildings and the “big tent” itself for 80 golden envelopes hidden earlier by volunteers.

They contained tickets to shows this month and next by everyone from Sir Tom Jones to Kathleen Jenkins and from Simple Minds to Madness.

The first set was discovered within just 20 seconds by a young lady who had the brainwave of looking underneath the first object she spotted inside the town-end gate – a plastic traffic cone – where she saw they had been taped.

This find was followed by a procession of claimants which continued steadily until lunchtime.

People beamed with delight as they discovered that the unique treasure hunt organised by the Eisteddfod team had saved them hundreds of pounds.

In some cases whole families, complete with children and dogs, took part in the proceedings, many staying on the field for hours until they found what they were looking for.

Eisteddfod vice-chairman John Gambles said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who came along to join in the treasure hunt, making it a huge success.

“It turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable occasion and I was delighted to see many people going away very happy with their tickets to some of our biggest shows this summer.

“It also turned out to be a real community event of the kind we love to encourage at the Eisteddfod.

“I’d also like to thank the team of our volunteers who made the event possible.”