Wallace and Gromit are back with more madcap adventures after a decade away from our screens.

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, a feature length film directed by Preston animator Nick Park, received its first showing at a star studded charity premiere in London last week.

Prior to the film, the adventures of the pair previously only account for 83 minutes animated action.

The new 84-minute adventure further highlights the technological mishaps of Wallace and his loyal canine friend, Gromit.

Three-time Oscar winner Park, pictured, who grew up in Walton-le-Dale, is hailed as a pioneer in cinematic circles and the new film has been one of the most eagerly awaited releases of the year.

Park, a former pupil of St Cuthbert Mayne High, now Our Lady's, in Fulwood, created the pair while studying at the National Film and TV School.

His interest in animation began at the age of 11 when his late father, Roger, who the character Wallace is based on, gave him a camera.

The Curse of the Were-Rabbit sees our intrepid pair given the task of capturing a rogue rabbit, which destroys vegetable plots.

The movie, which cost £17 million to produce, goes on general release on October 14.

It is a joint production between Hollywood's Dreamworks and Park's Aardman Animations. Speaking at the premiere, Park said: "I started making the films for myself and never thought they would reach such a big audience.

Wallace and Gromit would be overwhelmed at the response they get."