Artists turn on style for Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival

Crowds took advantage of the sunny weather to flock to Shrewsbury Cartoon Festival where dozens of people demonstrated their skills in The Square.

A "techno tent" where cartoonists showed how they create images digitally was one of the main attractions on Saturday, while artists also worked on huge boards to create cartoons on this year's theme of "style", along with caricature artists who were drawing people for free.

Martin Rowson, one of the country's top political cartoonists, was among the guests as he discussed the five years of the coalition government and the upcoming elections.

Festival co-organiser Karen Lloyd, said: "It was fantastic, there were loads of people about. It was very busy and great fun, and we had people queuing for the caricatures. All the cartoonists and caricaturists are professionals so the standard was obviously incredible.

"We have made a point of changing the theme annually and this has ensured the public gets a fresh and original collection of cartoons in a variety of styles to either view or even buy from one of the exhibitions."

The cartoon festival is among the events which will literally pass the baton to one another after many of the town's attractions signed up to a new initiative.

This year organisers of events big and small will be promoting each other by the handing over of a ceremonial baton.