WITH the wind in her sails and her pennants flying, Newport's medieval ship makes a stunning sight on the River Usk.

This stunning painting shows the 15th-century ship as she sails close to Newport Castle.

The skill of Newport artist Paul Deacon brings the ship to life in the painting, which shows the one-mast ship turning by a wooden bridge across the River Usk.

Navigation archaeology experts were brought in to ensure the 25-metre-long ship is portrayed as accurately as possible.

The remains of the ship were found in July 2002 during construction work on the city's new arts centre.

Last week the Argus revealed that Gwent and Glamorgan Archaeological Trust (GGAT) believe the ship was a Portuguese vessel, captured and brought to South Wales by pirates, and eventually owned by the Earl of Warwick.

Charles Ferris, a patron of the Friends of Newport Ship group, commissioned the painting - currently on display at Deacon Fine Arts, in Cambrian Road, Newport.

Mr Ferris said: "I'm absolutely delighted with the picture. It works historically and will hopefully stimulate debate, and it works as a picture in its own right.

"It's going to be ten years before the ship is on show in Newport, so I thought it was important to show people what it may have looked like in the 15th century before then."

Mr Ferris hopes the picture may be displayed at the Newport Museum and Art Gallery, on John Frost Square, and prints may also be sold.

Medieval ships expert Owain Roberts, who is based in North Wales, gave his advice on several preliminary sketches to ensure the ship was as historically accurate as possible.

Mr Roberts, 67, said: "I also drew some views of the ship's hull to help with the artist's impression.

"We were looking at boats from around the 1450s and 1460s, and there are some pictures of these on coins and old seals from those dates."

Artist Paul Deacon said the painting took about two months to complete.

He said: "I'm pleased with the final outcome and a lot of research was carried out."