Patent Office uses Wallace & Gromit for schools push

Claymation characters Wallace & Gromit are spearheading a Patent Office innovation campaign for schools.

The campaign is being created by Bell Design & Communications, which won the brief following a two-stage pitch against undisclosed agencies.

The integrated campaign will be aimed at headteachers and is devised to encourage primary schools to use an interactive website as a teaching aid. The website, for nine- to 11-year-olds, contains information on British inventors, interactive teaching material and also features an online competition.

Aardman Animations has licensed the award-winning clay characters to the Patent Office for the push.

An agency spokeswoman says Wallace & Gromit were chosen because they are "unconventional" inventors who appeal to children.

The campaign forms part of the Patent Office’s wider public agenda to move the UK towards an innovation-based economy.