A new free exhibition showcasing extraordinary headwear is set to open.

Hats off to Sandown opens at the Clayden Gallery, Quay Arts, Newport on Friday, November 8.

The exhibition runs until Tuesday, November 26, and celebrates the success of the revived hat-wearing tradition at the town's annual seaside event.

The exhibition will display many giant creations worn at the Regatta Hat Parade, alongside striking photographs by Island photographers Simon Avery and Emma Wilkinson.

Chair of Sandown Carnival Paul Coueslant said: "We’re thrilled that our hat-making workshops have attracted and inspired hundreds of Island residents and visitors over the last two summers, all enthusiastic about the chance to create their own distinctive headwear and work alongside Island artists to produce some of the big hats we can see at Quay Arts.

"It’s a brilliantly successful example of the community and artists working together and wonderful to be able to showcase the results."

Notable hats include the Gallus Hat, inspired by a mosaic found at Brading Roman Villa, Keely Hunter's Butterfly Hat, the John Wilkes Hat, and the Kraken Hat, inspired by Tennyson’s poem about a mythical sea creature.

The exhibition is open from 9am to 5pm daily.