The Heads of the Valleys National Eisteddfod, taking place in Ebbw Vale, will have a special guest this weekend, in the form of an iron-cast pit pony.
It is one of five pit ponies that have been created, following a commission for animal sculptures to be based in Blaenavon, funded by the Heads of the Valleys Programme.
The brief for the artists was to spend time in the community getting to know the area and the people who lived there.
Weighing two tonnes each, standing four feet tall and six feet long from nose to tail, the iron-cast pit ponies were designed by animal sculptor Sally Matthews, whose work can be found all over the UK and in Europe.
Halifax-based Hargreaves Foundry was subsequently commissioned to cast the five pit pony sculptures, which will be erected in Blaenavon later this year at an undecided location.
The leader of Torfaen council, councillor Bob Wellington, said: "The pit ponies are a wonderful symbol of Blaenavon's industrial past and the bright future ahead of it. Blaenavon is renowned throughout the world, a World Heritage Site blessed with wonderful surroundings and beautiful scenery.
"Tourism plays a massive role in regeneration within Torfaen. It is worth £48.4 million to the local economy and attracts more than 896,000 visitors to the borough.
"These ponies will add further character to the tremendous amount of attractions within Torfaen and I can't wait to see them in their final chosen location."
The sculptures have been funded by the Heads of the Valleys Programme, a Welsh Assembly Government regeneration initiative that aims to develop new economic bases for the country's former mining communities.
It is hoped that the pit pony sculptures will become a key visitor attraction, contributing to the growth of tourism in and around Blaenavon.
Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Jocelyn Davies AM said: "While regenerating the Heads of the Valleys area is all about improving its future, we cannot forget its past and in particular the industry that made the area what it is today. It is an important part of the Valleys heritage and making the most of this history in creating unique tourism opportunities is vital to attract visitors who contribute to the local economy.
"I am therefore very pleased that the Welsh Assembly Government has funded the pit ponies sculptures and look forward to seeing them in place. "
The pit ponies were cast in 100 per cent recycled iron from Sally's full-sized plaster models. Sally chose pit ponies as they were "the heart of Blaenavon's coal and iron industries and they are still in the hearts of many people there."
She explained: "While researching the project, I watched archive footage of the pit ponies being brought up from the mines for their one-week and later two-week holiday they shared with the miners.
"On seeing the film of the ponies as they were led down the street and their exuberant release into the fields; the ponies became the natural subject for the work.
"I chose to make the ponies free from their working tack as I wanted the sculpture to be about the individual ponies and freedom."
One of the pit ponies will stand outside the Torfaen council marquee throughout the duration of the Eisteddfod. Preparatory drawings by the artist and a DVD showing the commissioning and making process will also be on display.
Come and see the sculpture at the Eisteddfod from 31 July - 7 August and vote for where you would like them to be housed permanently in Blaenavon and the surrounding areas.