THE SUPERDRAGON trail has been up and running for more than a month now, and judging by the excited youngsters following the trail in Newport this week, it has been a smash hit again.

The shocking July weathermay have sent some of the dragons back inside for a quick touch-up of their varnish, but it has not put off the SuperDragon hunters avidly ticking off the ones they have spotted on their maps.

By the University of Wales, Newport, city campus, excited Dylan Lodge, four, visiting the city from Frome, Somerset, was enjoying the Canary Dragon.

He did have a query for artists Gus Wookey and Alexia Steadam, though: “I think he’s really cool and a good colour – but dragons aren’t usually yellow.”

Grace Noble, two, out hunting the dragons with mum Nikki, from Chepstow Road, Newport said: “I’ve had lots of fun looking for the dragons.” Her favourite is the Chameleon.

Mum Nikki laughed: “It is great for keeping her occupied!”

By the Superman dragon, which doubles up as a charity box, six-year-old Jessica Clarke and her four-yearold sister, Lucy, were donating some of mum’s loose change to the mayor’s charities.

The girls, from Clayton le Moors in Lancashire, were visiting their auntie, Jackie Clarke, in Caerleon, and had already managed to find 22 dragons on their holiday.

Jessica said: I like that there are lots of different ones to see. My favourite was the Diva dragon, but now it is the Superman dragon.”

The Diva dragon appeared a popular choice, with tenyear- old Beatrix Needham singling the dragon, who is housed at U.R.B.A.N in John Frost Square, out as her favourite, too.

“I think they’re great, there is so much detail on them,” she said as she ticked her 28th dragon off her list.

“ We have four more to do before lunch,” her grandmother, Rosemary Butler AM, said.

“I think they are sensational,”

said Mrs Butler.

“You just see people smiling when they are looking at them and people who have never met before strike up a conversation over them. I think they are great for Newport.”