NEWPORT'S much-loved SuperDragons are to be sold to the highest bidder.

Most of the 5ft tall statues, which were each lovingly painted with a unique design by artists, will be auctioned off at events in December.

But 23 of them will be sold via sealed bids submitted directly to the Newport council.

Ten, which were paid for by companies, will be returned to their sponsors, while the Willow dragon, signed by members of the British Cycling Team inlcuding Sir Chirs Hoy, will remain at its home at the city's Velodrome. But they don't come cheap as fans will have to shell out a minimum of £960 each, which covers the cost of making them.

For every successful bid over £1,000, a donation will be made to the city mayor's charities, Alzheimer's Society and St David's Foundation Hospice. Income below that will go straight back into the project.

Cllr Debbie Wilcox, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "The SuperDragons project proved to be again very successful and popular with residents in Newport. People can now bid to own their very own SuperDragon and keep a memento of this memorable project."

The remaining statues will be auctioned, but anyone interested in submitted a sealed bid for one of them can do so and it will be considered on the night of the auction.

The popular SuperDragons2 went on display around the city in the summer, following the hugely successful original SuperDragons trail in 2010.

Bid should be sent by post to Susannah Stonehouse, Events Team, Newport Market, High Street, Newport NP20 1DD, by November 15.

Please clearly state the name of which dragon you are bidding for and provide full contact details.

SuperDragons that can be bid upon are: Firestarter Purple People Eater Blodeuwedd Elvis Returned to Newport Fragments East West The Dragon with the Dragon Tattoo Canary Dragon Grand Central Dragon I Wonder Why We Wander Here Be Lost Species Ð Lest We Forget Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau/Land of My Fathers Dinkum The 'Art' of Newport Freedom Ð Rhyddid The A-Maze-Ing Dragon Castell Newydd Little Things China Blue Dragon Drip Dragon Dragon Of The Year Ð Chinese Chilli To The Bone The Red Dragon