A NEWPORT coffee shop is staging the city’s first battle of the baristas tonight.

Family-run Horton’s Coffee House, based on Millennium Walk, near the Riverfront, is hosting the competition which sees Cardiff-based baristas take on their counterparts from Bristol.

The latte art showdown is taking place tonight, starting at 7pm, and features two teams of eight baristas.

The coffee competitors have been drawn against each other in a knockout contest that will eventually see one barista crowned the winner.

The event at Horton’s will see competitors judged on their latte art skills.

Latte art is created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso, resulting in a pattern or design on the surface of the drink.

Horton’s Coffee Shop owner Gavin Horton said: “These competitions are huge for baristas and I’m really pleased we are staging the first one in Newport.

“Making it a Wales v England contest adds an extra competitive dimension, particularly during the Six Nations.”

James Bonder, Cardiff barista working in Kin + Ilk, said: "It is just a fun competition for coffee people.

"It is an excuse for the community to get together and socialise.

"I have taken part in a few competitions before, but it is still nerve-wrecking."

Horton’s opened shortly before Christmas and serves batch-roasted, ethically-sourced speciality coffee, along with a variety of other drinks and home-baked food.