A TRIBUTE to the Welsh actor Richard Burton spilled over into glowing praise for Newport from Burton's widow, Sally, who was with him up until his death 20 years ago.

Officially opening an exhibition of photographs of her late husband at the St David's Hall Foyer galleries in Cardiff Mrs Burton said: "Richard illustrated that there is in Wales not only a desire to perform, but to perform well.

"No better indication of this can be found than at the Eisteddfod, that expression of Welsh culture and excellence, which Newport is hosting." In a private interview with this newspaper Mrs Burton said: " I do feel most strongly that, in the Eisteddfod being in Newport, the spirit of my late husband is being honoured.

"There seems to be a vibrancy about the place and a respect for culture which I feel reflects his. I hope the Eisteddfod is a great success both in its own right and for Newport."

At every National Eisteddfod, one of the major prizes awarded is the RIchard Burton Prize for a Welsh monologue - this year to be awarded next Wednesday.

Burton married Sally Hay following his divorce from Susan Hunt in 1982. Burton died of a brain haemorrhage at his home in Switzerland on August 5, 1984. The dozens of pictures which span four decades of Burton's acting life remain at St David's hall until August 14. A major Newport connection with the exhibition is Gerard Knowles of Bassaleg, who owns most of the photographs.