Youngsters who want to fly on the back of a friendly dragon or hide from a scary dinosaur have been having a ball for the past few Saturdays making their own little worlds come to life.

The Cre8 studios at the Town Hall, Regent Circus, Swindon, has been hosting Put Yourself In The Picture, a course in producing special effects such as those used in the blockbuster movies Stuart Little and Jurassic Park.

Young film makers, aged between 11 and 16, chose their own storylines and began mixing live action and special effects with plasticine models. They then took a copy of the video home.

Cre8's Community and Education Officer, Keith Phillips, said: "New technology enables us to produce the same effects they've been using in films at a low budget. It is a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn these skills and create their own masterpieces.''