BUDDING movie-makers are to get their work shown at a prestigious national film festival.

Children from Darwen and Colne have been chosen from 220 productions entered from across the UK and overseas.

Youngsters aged 12-14 at Pendle Community High School, Gibfield Road, Colne, made two animated films, The Dog who Saved Christmas, and Don't Bully Me.

Teacher Chris Fairbairn said the school was one of the longest-running contenders of the Co-operative Young Film-Makers Festival, submitting entries for 15 years.

Pupils at the special school made their own modelling clay characters and backdrop and scripted and filmed the entire movie with help from Mr Fairbairn. The ICT and animation tutor, who teaches at schools across the area said: "The children can develop their social skills through film making. Its all their work. I just guide them."

Mr Fairburn also worked with 10-year-old from Primet Primary School, Colne, who created an animated three minute film called Mystery of the Unknown about aliens.

Year six teacher Linda O'Keefe said: "I was very impressed with the children's work. They did the majority of it themselves. They only had help with the editing side of things."

Darwen 16-year-old Rik Nicholson was also chosen after writing and producing his creation, I am Kloot - This House is Haunted.

The films will be shown at the festival on October 13 and 14 at Bradford's National Museum of Photography, Film and Television.

The films, all under six minutes long, will be shown over nine screenings throughout the two-day event including drama, documentary, animation and comedy films along with music videos.

Film director Edgar Wright, director of hit film Shaun of the Dead and forthcoming Hot Fuzz, said the festival was a fantastic opportunity for young film makers.

He said: "I saw all my early shorts at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. It was great and inspired me ever onward."

Special events and workshops at the festival include how to make a TV chat show and documentary directing. Young film-makers will also have a chance to shoot a video.