DREAMWORKS - KUNG FU PANDA CLEANS UP AT ANIMATION AWARDS

KUNG FU PANDA CLEANS UP AT ANIMATION AWARDS

Dreamworks cartoon Kung Fu Panda has dominated the 36th Annie awards, which acknowledge achievement in animation.

The martial arts comedy was named best animated feature - beating the favourite WALL-E - and claimed 14 other awards, including best direction and character design.

Dustin Hoffman, who voices kung fu expert Shifu in the film, was named best voice actor while the animation also claimed prizes in the TV production/short-form categories.

Kung Fu Panda's haul of 15 awards beat the Annies' record of nine, set by Ratatouille last year.

There was cause for British celebration at the Los Angeles ceremony with Aardman Animation's latest Wallace and Gromit adventure, A Matter of Loaf and Death, named best short animation.

Nick Park, the creator of the claymation duo, was given a lifetime achievement award, as were Disney/Pixar's John Lasseter and Beavis and Butthead writer Mike Judge.