THE WORK of happy snappers from last year's Maindee Festival is now on exhibition at Newport's Riverfront Arts Centre.

Festival organisers issued wannabe photographers disposable cameras with the instruction to capture the essence of Newport.

Entrants were asked to take pictures inspired by the festival and summarise the changes Newport city centre is currently undergoing.

Festival committee member, Julian Constant, said some of the entries were very moving.

"It's fantastic how you can give kids a bunch of cameras and they take pictures that really look inside Newport and show what's going on.

"Some of the pictures are very poignant."

Around fifty people submitted photos to the competition and it was judged by city photographer Ron McCormick.

"There were some very surprising and exciting images of Newport going through its current redevelopment, and many were of a very high standard," Mr McCormick said.

The winners of the various age groups were Gavin Williams (5-11 years), Aled Williams (12-17), Alick Cotterill (18-25) and Abby Carpenter (26 and over).

The Metamorphosis exhibition, runs until February 18 and will be officially launched tomorrow at 7pm, following this year's Maindee Festival AGM.

The 2008 Maindee festival will take a wildlife theme on July 5 at Rodney Parade.

For more information visit: www.maindee.org