City anniversary concert climax

The Prince of Wales making the city status announcement in 1969. Image: West Glamorgan Archive Service.

Tickets are up for grabs for a free concert marking the 40th anniversary of Swansea becoming a city.

On 10 December, 1969 letters of patent were issued by the Queen officially confirming the status.

To mark the occasion a concert is being staged at the Brangywn Hall featuring local talent including Steve Balsamo, Mal Pope and Kevin Johns.

Eight hundred tickets are available for the 10 December event on a first come first served basis via Swansea council.

The Prince of Wales made the announcement on 3 July, 1969, two days after his investiture, that Swansea was to become a city.

But it was not until the end of that year that it was made official.

A series of events have taken place throughout 2009 marking the anniversary, including garden parties at the city's Mansion House for those born in 1969.

Schoolchildren have buried time capsules for future generations, babies born in the city on the 40th anniversary of Prince Charles's announcement were given a silver coin and members of the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards (The Welsh Cavalry) have been awarded the freedom of Swansea.

Swansea's lord mayor, Alan Lloyd, who was a councillor when Swansea officially became a city, said: "I am delighted we are holding this free concert.

"Becoming a city was a landmark event in the life of Swansea.

"We have been moving steadily forward since that day."

Tickets can be obtained from the council's corporate marketing team by calling 01792 637553/7554 or emailing [e-mail]