A NEWPORT illustrator now living in New York returned to her home city this week to take part in the SuperDragons2 project.

Lucy Reading, 32, has spent 30 hours of her five-day trip visiting parents John and Judith Reading, painting her sculpture called Grand Central Dragon.

Her design is inspired by the elaborately painted ceiling of New York’s Grand Central Station and demonstrates her passion for the city that never sleeps.

The art director for The Scientist magazine was keen to get involved with the project after seeing last year’s designs on social media site Facebook.

The former Bassaleg School pupil got in touch with Newport council, which suggested she submit a design for its competition to design the sculptures and she was chosen to go ahead earlier this month.

She said: “I wanted to do something for Newport, I grew up here and thought it was a brilliant idea.

“People loved it last year and it was a positive thing, which brought people to Newport and raised the profile.”

Ms Reading, who is originally from Rogerstone, has been keeping friends and husband Zachary, 33, who is back home in New York, updated on her progress via internet video call service Skype.

Her SuperDragon will go on display later in the year, alongside 60 others painted by artists and sponsored by local businesses to create a trail around the city.