Bristol-based Harvest Films has been commissioned by BBC1 to produce a half-hour animated special entitled, HAMILTON MATTRESS. Developed in conjunction with the BBC Animation Unit, the stop-motion special features a cast of characters created by John Webster, writer of some of the most successful television advertising campaigns. The special will follow the story of an unloved Aardvark and his canny caterpillar companion, who embark on an epic adventure in which friendship and talent triumph over vanity and greed. Harvest's other key partners in the project include Link Entertainment and Egmont Imagination who will handle worldwide television and video rights jointly. Link Licensing will specialize in the merchandising rights, while Egmont will supervise the book publishing. Oscar-nominee Barry Purves (SCREENPLAY, ACHILLES) will direct and Christopher Moll, whose extensive credits include the multi-award winning Wallace and Gromit adventure THE WRONG TROUSERS, will produce. The film goes into pre-production in April and is due for delivery in 2001.