In toon

Oscar-winning film-making firm Aardman Animations is set to sign an exclusive deal with the University of the West of England to help design degree courses in film animation, writes Chloe Stothart. Bristol-based Aardman, creators of the award-winning Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit , will also provide work placements for students at the university's Bristol School of Animation.

The link-up is expected to double the number of international students on the animation short course, bringing their total to 30. Amanda Wood, director of the school, said: 'The collaboration is designed to ensure a ready supply of talented individuals to support the growing ambitions of Bristol's animation industry'