A NEW hands-on exhibition dedicated to 75 years of children's television and animation is being launched by a Sussex dad and his young daughter.

Animazing has been created by Paul Young from Hailsham, with the help of his seven-year-old daughter, Isabel, and it centres around a collection of memorabilia from the world of children's television.

It starts with the very earliest shows of the 1940s and 50s through to modern favourites. Included is a 1950s Muffin the Mule marionette, antique Sooty and Sweep glove puppets, toys from the 1960s and 70s, and a Thunderbirds collection spanning nearly 25 years.

Paul and Isabel have also recreated items using techniques used to produce some of these classic shows, including a flying Thunderbird 1, underwater Thunderbird 4 and the surface of the moon-like Clangers planet.

There are also puppets and stop-motion to drawn animation and live action, plus you will be able to see how some of the best loved children's television programmes were made in days gone by, and how modern technology is changing the way characters are brought to life.

They have created an array of hands-on activities allowing visitors of all ages to try out some of these techniques.

Planned activities include operating a string puppet on television, making your own plasticine characters, recording your own stop-motion animation and painting your own drawn animation cel.

There will even by a pop-up television studio where you can step in front of a green screen and be magically transported into space or underwater swimming with turtles, chase a dinosaur or battle through a snowstorm.

Paul said: "Since I started collecting about eight years ago, I've always wanted to share this.

"I've tried to create an exhibition that will capture the imagination of everyone who visits, not only the generation enjoying children's television today, but also those who fondly remember the television of their childhood.

"Isabel is confident that loads of people will come and is so excited to be taking part. It's been a lot of fun putting everything together and I hope everyone enjoys it."

The exhibition opens on Tuesday, August 2 at Gallery North, Hailsham, and runs until Saturday August. 13.

The gallery is open from 10am to 4pm daily, except for Sundays and Mondays. Admission is free.

Animazing is a not for profit organisation.

For further information see animazingtv.co.uk or visit their Facebook page facebook.com/animazingtv.