A HUSBAND and wife animation team is celebrating an action-packed first year in business.

Niel and Diane Bushnell specialise in 3D animation, illustration and storyboarding, and already have a number of high-profile customers.

They worked on the first Harry Potter computer game two years ago and have recently completed a promotional film for the Universal TV company.

The couple's Hartlepool company, Qurios Entertainment, is to expand its portfolio into corporate videos and more television work.

Mr Bushnell said their first year had been varied.

He said: "Before we went into business we completed the first ever Harry Potter computer game, then we have concentrated more on the television market. One of the high-points of the year was working on a 60-second film for Universal that will be shown on their satellite channel across Europe this summer. It featured a man with a phobia of spiders who, as he speaks, has a giant spider creeping up behind him. We created the spider and put it on the screen."

The company is now working on architectural and business-related animation including company logos and graphic aids for training and safety.