A Machynlleth artist with learning difficulties has scooped a top award for his comic strips.

David Llewelyn Lewis (right) picked up a 2019 Mirror Award (Idea Category) from The All-Wales People First organisation, an advocacy group for people with learning disabilities. He attends the Cyfle Newydd day centre in his home town.

“When they called my name out at the award ceremony I didn’t know what to do with myself. I was just all over the place, I was so very happy,” laughed David this week.

He has created a series of comic strips featuring a group of superheroes known as ‘The Titans of Righteousness’ (led by The Red Dyfi Dragon). These superheroes protect Wales from the supernatural as well as guarding its residents in other ways. David’s comics touch on a variety of issues including abuse, homophobia and online safety.

“I’ve created the comics to teach people with learning disabilities, like myself, how to stay safe when they go out or if anything happens to them,” said David.

“They can learn from these messages and then they can talk to people that they can trust. Hopefully, it will encourage them to speak out more and to be treated like everybody else.”

See this week’s south editions for the full story, in shops and online now