A GIANT screen beaming out animated images lit up a central street in Middlesbrough this weekend.

Pedestrians and motorists in Linthorpe Road stopped to enjoy two animated films screened on a loop, on Friday and Saturday night, as part of Animex, the town's International Animation Festival.

Graham Ramsay, one of the festival organisers, said the screen had been intended for Corporation Road, but windy weather put paid to that.

"The weather just played havoc with us. We had to move the location twice, but when we finally got established it was great," he said.

"With it being at street level it had a great impact and really succeeded in turning people's heads."

The festival, which included a visit from Oscar-winning animator Phil Tippett, ended on a high note yesterday with screenings of Shrek and Monsters Inc at cinemas in the town.

"I feel the festival has been a great success," said Mr Ramsay. "Ticket sales are beyond anything we've had in the past and I think we made a lot of people think about animation."