ASPIRING animators are being encouraged to take part in a competition organised by a North-East university.

The University of Teesside's Animex Student Animation Awards is aimed at recognising and rewarding student animation produced in the UK and abroad.

Entry is free and open to British and overseas students.

Any frame-by-frame or computer-assisted animated film or video created by a student between January 1 last year and July 31 this year will be eligible.

Selected entries will be shown at the Baltic arts centre, in Gateshead, in January.

Visitors to free showings will be invited to contribute to an audience award by voting for their favourite animation.

For an application pack, call Justin Greetham on (01642) 342 692