STUDENTS at the University for the Creative Arts at Maidstone will decide the outcome of one of this year's British Animation Awards.

The campus has been chosen to screen the nominations for the Public Choice Award and help decide the winner.

Senior lecturer in animation arts Anna Orchard, said the honour would raise the profile of the university.

She said: "We are really pleased to be screening the British Animation Awards Public Choice category; it is a great opportunity for our students to view contemporary animation and to be inspired by it."

Tilbury Town, by UCA Maidstone graduate, Murun Thornton, has been nominated in the Best Student Film category.

Murun said: "I am really excited, I never thought my film would go this far. A nomination is one thing, but winning is another, so here's hoping."

The fate of the former BA (Hons) Animation Arts student lies with a panel though, as his award will not be decided at the screenings.

There will be several UCA nominees looking for votes in the Public Choice category.

Former UCA Maidstone students Jason Groves, Chris Harding and Richard Kenworth, collectively known as Shynola, are nominated for the Strawberry Swing music video they created for Coldplay.

Maidstone's sister campus at Farnham, Surrey, is also hoping for success with former student Darren Walsh - the man behind the Compare the Market advertisements featuring meerkats, who is up for an award in the Best Advertisement category.

The winners will be announced at the British Animation Awards ceremony on April 8 in London.