Vagrants Crew, the Pembroke Dock based folk/shanty band, will be en route to Holland later this month, having been invited to perform at the three-day Slag om de Wiede shanty festival in Giethoorn.

The Crew are all very exited and thrilled at the prospect, for although they have played at many festivals throughout Britain and Ireland, this will be the first time (and hopefully not the last), despite many requests, that it has been possible for them to travel to Europe.

The 'Captain', Peter Pearce, said: "This will be a wonderful opportunity to perform our music and be able to represent the town of Pembroke Dock, the county of Pembrokeshire and the country of Wales at such an event and we are all extremely proud. Unfortunately, Phil Warren is unable to be with us and he will be sorely missed, but the show must go on!

"We would all like to express our grateful thanks to Pembroke Dock Town Council (who really came up trumps!), Carl Milne and team of Stena line, Fishguard, Nicola Tomlinson and team of Days car and van hire, Swansea, and Colin Edwards, landlord of the Flying Boat, Pembroke Dock, without whose invaluable and kind assistance this trip would not have been possible."

The Crew are due to sail on August 30.