SPECIAL effects students have been learning from one of the industry's best.

Professional animatronics guru David Buckley has been delivering lectures .

The module he has been leading teachers students the key aspects of robotic devices used in the industry such as radio control, pneumatics, puppeteering and computer controlled mechanisms.

Mr Buckley said:"To me animatronics is about creating magical things to enhance a visitor experience or a show.

"Robots have always been in my blood and I suppose that led naturally to my background in mechanical, electrical, electronic, computer and software engineering.

"I felt honoured to be asked to be a guest lecturer in animatronics here at the University of Bolton and was pleased to see excellent workshops and a good number of students.

"I have aimed in the course to teach what is not in books or on the web and to give the students practical experience in building and bringing to life animatronic figures. It has been an amazing and enjoyable experience for me watching the students realise that they can create magic."

Course leader Rick McEvoy Crompton said: "Specialist industry involvement is a key part of SVFX here at Bolton, we were delighted to welcome David and his wealth of experience in such a very cool subject area.

"Collaborations like this are a vital part of what we do and they help develop and inform practice in all aspects of our course."