Exhibition 'shows everything good about Southport'

Ellie is one of 400 children from across the north-west of England to have their artwork exhibited in Southport

An open-air art exhibition showcasing "everything that's good about Southport" has been opened in the Merseyside resort.

The exhibition, opened by Liverpool's former world champion boxer Tony Bellew, features pieces created by more than 400 children aged from 3 to 18.

Norman Wallis, CEO of Adventure Coast Southport where the art is being shown, said: "This is about pride, positivity and putting children's creativity front and centre.

"I wanted to motivate the children of our town - we've had some sad news in recent years in Southport [and] I wanted to do something for them."

Saul visited the exhibition with his mum Sue

One of the young artists inspired to submit his work was 12-year-old Saul.

"I really like going to Southport and when I heard that I could get a free trip to the pleasure beach I just thought I should do a drawing for it.

"The first time me and my family came to Southport, we just spent the whole day on the beach messing around."

Saul's drawing of Southport pier and beach has been shortlisted for the honour of being permanently displayed in the town.

"I just liked drawing when I was really young and me and my mum draw together sometimes," he added.

The There's Something Good About Southport exhibition runs until 14 September

Former world cruiserweight champion Bellew said: "I used to come here when I was younger - this was the first fairground I came to.

"You'd come up here when you were off school and it was just a lovely place to come [but] over the last 12 to 18 months, we've got away from that.

"We've got to know that Southport is a beautiful place to be and this little competition - seeing so many kids around here - puts a smile on my face."

Axel Rudakubana,18, was jailed in January for a minimum of 52 years after he was convicted of murdering three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance event on 29 July 2024.

"No-one's forgetting what's happened but ultimately we now have to encourage these children, encourage the community to start coming out and to start enjoying each other and our town."

Liverpool-born Tony Bellew opened the exhibition in Southport