City awards 'Wallace and Gromit' minds

'Curse of the Were-Rabbit'

The creators of Wallace and Gromit have been given the ultimate honour in their home city of Bristol.

Peter Lord and Dave Sproxton set up Aardman Animations in the city 30 years ago while Nick Park joined in 1986 as an animator. He was the main creative force behind the clay-formed stars, who received Oscars for films including The Wrong Trousers and A Close Shave.

Now all three have been awarded the freedom of Bristol, an honour bestowed upon them in a ceremony at the Council House on Monday evening.

Park told an audience of civil figures and local fans he was "delighted" with the award. He commented: "It was a real surprise that we were nominated for this in the first place.

"Each of us really enjoys what we do so much so to get this honour from the city is the ultimate accolade."