Display celebrates children with Down's syndrome

Elizabeth, a young girl with short dark hair, a pink headband and in a floral dress, screams with excitement as bubbles float around her head.Debbie Todd

Bubble-loving Elizabeth is one of the children to feature in the exhibition

Duncan Leatherdale
BBC News, North East and Cumbria

A new exhibition at a shopping centre is celebrating the "joy" of children with Down's syndrome, its creator says.

Debbie Todd, from Consett in County Durham, met and took pictures of dozens of children for her latest project Extra Ordinary.

The photographer, a graduate of the Northern School of Art in Hartlepool, said her work aimed to show the "joy, love and impact" the youngsters brought to people's lives.

With a month-long exhibition opening in the Metrocentre on Saturday, Ms Todd shared some of her pictures and the characters behind them.

Albie, a young boy, wears a brown flat camp and brown jumper with a teddy bear design on it with a satchel on his back. Debbie Todd

Albie underwent open heart surgery when he was three months old and is determined and inquisitive, his family said

Layla, a young girl with shoulder length brown hair wearing a blue surgical hat, large round black-framed glasses, a child's nurse coat and large red stethoscope around her neck, smiles at the cameraDebbie Todd

Layla is a "ray of sunshine", her family said

Maximus, a young boy with short blond hair salutes the camera as he wears camouflaged trousers, jacket and hatDebbie Todd

Maximus is the youngest of six children and he is inspired by his eldest brother who is in the army

Lacy-Mai, a young girl with brown hair, is wearing a white chef's hat and white apron over her floral jumper and trousers. She is holding a large wooden spoon in one hand and a white colander in the other.Debbie Todd

Lacy-Mai is an avid baker who is making up for lost time after spending the first year of her life in hospital

Zack, a boy with short dark hair, looks at the camera. He is wearing a blue football shirt and has a black and orange football tucked under his left arm.Debbie Todd

Zack is a keen footballer and basketball player

Ava, an older girl with long brown hair wearing a black top and pink skirt holds a large pink heart-shaped balloon.Debbie Todd

Ava is a "sassy" teenager with a "wicked sense of humour", her family said

Freya, a young girl with short brown hair and glasses holds out ballet shoes. She is pointing with her other hand and has a sassy pout on her face.Debbie Todd

Ballet fan Freya is "downright amazing" and "does not like to be underestimated", her family said

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