AN EXHIBITION by photographer Simon Burt that challenges the common perceptions of Down's syndrome, will be on display at the Eden Project from next Tuesday until March 27.

The show is named Trisomy 21, after the extra chromosome that causes the condition. It is the result of a close friendship between Simon and his wife Anna, with Angela Emrys-Jones of the Cornwall Down's Syndrome Awareness Group. Angela's 5-year-old son Ted has the condition.

Both parties wanted to raise awareness of this very common, yet largely misunderstood, condition and Simon invited members of the group into his Truro studio to create a personal portrait collection. The result is a set of 15 images that capture the fun and colourful characters of each individual, presenting personalities first, before the condition.

Talking of the collaboration with the Cornwall Down's Syndrome Support Group, Simon said: "I am always happy to support local charities, so it made perfect sense to invite Angie and her members along to the studio, with a view of raising awareness of Down's syndrome in the community.

"It was so much fun working with each individual. Their personalities really shone through, and this is what I hope I've captured with this set of images."

Angela said: "Trisomy 21 has given a small number of our members the opportunity to take part in something very exciting, that positively portrays themselves as who they really are, and not who society says they are.

"We're so thrilled that Eden is exhibiting these images, as it will give us the opportunity to promote a better understanding of what it means to have Down's syndrome, to a wide-reaching audience. It will also help to mark Down's Syndrome Awareness Day on March 21."

Funding the framing and launching of the images at Eden, are the Bolingey Barbarians, a veteran rugby team who have been raising money for children's charities in Cornwall since 1993.

Following its time at Eden, Trisomy 21 will be going on tour, visiting other high profile venues throughout Cornwall.

To follow its progress, keep an eye on Simon's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/simonburtphotography and to find out more about the Cornwall Down's Syndrome Support Group visit its website at www.cdssg.org.uk