NEWPORT'S medieval ship continues to fascinate worldwide attention from people of all ages - and here's the proof.

Three-year-old Mateusz Popielski went to see the vessel during a visit to the city from his home in Warsaw, Poland.

He was so impressed he produced this painting featuring the ship.

His aunty Weronika Jop, who lives in Newport, explained Mateusz and his parents Olga and Marcin went to the most recent ship open day.

"He was very much taken with such an old ship and the coins they found," she said, adding that he intended to tell his friends all about it when he returned to Poland.

Family friend Charles Ferris, of the Friends of the Newport Ship, said more than 500 people, a record number, attended the latest of the open days.

Medieval archer Mike Jones made one of his regular appearances and this time he was joined by longbow enthusiasts Meibion Y Ddraig.

Cllr Ferris also paid tribute to access officer Neil Stevenson who has left his post after three years to take up a similar role for the prestigious Pitt Rivers collection in Oxford.

"It is a big loss as he's brought 25,000 young people to see the ship."

Cllr Ferris added that it was wonderful to think that the ship had been a springboard for the 30-year-old's talent.

Even though he was leaving Newport, Mr Stevenson will stay involved through his membership of the Friends of the Newport Ship.