In the beginning there was Aardman. Then came Morph, the little plasticine man that even teenagers had to admit was cool in the mid-1970s.

Now the Bristol animation scene is the envy of the world. South West England is the place to learn about the art, and the Bristol School of Animation, the professional training unit affiliated to the Bristol School of Art, Media and Design, UWE, is the ideal example of collaboration between creative industries in the area and universities.

The School was set up in conjunction with Aardman Animations, the makers of the Oscra-winning Wallace and Gromit movies, with the idea of training animators to work on Chicken Run, one of its greatest animation films.

Now, the school has an international reputation for the provision of high-quality teaching and training in all aspects of animation, production, set design, sound design, interactive multimedia and animation.

It is also supported by other Bristol based companies such as A Productions, bolexbrothers, the BBC and 4:4:2 Videographics.

Arril Johnson, one of the school’s lecturers, explains the concept: "We get students at all levels of development. Some who want to improve their skills come to us from the industry.

"Others come straight from university. We have a good mix. Some have worked at places like Aardman, some want to go on to work for them. It’s a patchy, difficult industry and we have to strip away the glamour and show them reality.

"People like Aardman contribute in kind, visiting for lectures and so on. Our students are able to talk to people from the industry and get a much clearer picture of what the industry is like."

Frances Meredith, the school’s manager, says that Aardman had been very supportive, "giving professional seminars and giving studio tours for the students.

"The Bristol School of Animation also offer other things; summer schools, evening classes and children’s courses. There’s a lot of stuff going on. The school gives access to all levels."

The Bristol School Of Art, Media & Design is working with South West Screen and the South West RDA to give work placements to 50 graduates from UWE and Bath Spa University from 2004 to 2006.

It is also a member of the European Training Network for Animation (ETNA). And as the only independent training unit of its kind in the UK, it provides a unique opportunity for European animators to experience the methodologies and professional practices of the UK animation industry at first hand.

Currently the school is running a storyboarding competition, in conjunction with Aardman, which carries a first prize of a free place to study either 2D or 3D animation on the three-month animation professional training course next year. The prize also includes the payment of accommodation costs for the duration of the eleven-week period. There will also be runners-up prizes on offer.

Visit the website for details of how and when to enter.

Last year’s competition, in conjunction with Wildscreen, was won by Julia Roberts, a postal worker and illustrator from Devon. She said: "I have learnt more here about animation, movement and acting than I thought possible. Even though I have found it hard at times, the course has been brilliant and the tutoring is great. I feel that I have learnt the fundamental skills of animation, which I can build upon. Having my fees and accommodation paid for has really been a huge help.

"Without winning the competition, there would be no way I would have been able to attend the course."