IF you re a fan of all things animated, then the arrival of Lollipop Animation to Ely will be music to your Mickey Mouse ears. Whether you re a Simpsons fanatic or a Wallace and Gromit enthusiast, Lollipop Animation has it all from the latest toys and fig

IF you're a fan of all things animated, then the arrival of Lollipop Animation to Ely will be music to your Mickey Mouse ears.

Whether you're a Simpsons fanatic or a Wallace and Gromit enthusiast, Lollipop Animation has it all from the latest toys and figures, to original hand-painted cels (sheets of acetate), actually used to create an episode of your favourite cartoon.

The shop, in Ely's High Street Passage, is the brainchild of managing director Will Marston, who has himself been a collector for the last eight years.

"I've always loved collecting as a hobby but I had to buy direct from the United States," he said. "I started up a website two years ago selling animation cels, but then it became a bit more than a hobby and I had to give up my day job as an advertising copy-writer."

He opened the shop just before Christmas and enjoyed plenty of interest over the festive season. Despite admitting to having "no talent for drawing", Will admits that animation is very much his passion. "I started with a cel of a Snoopy head, for about £5, and it snowballed."

Now, cels of almost every known cartoon character can be bought at Lollipop, all with certificates and stamps of authenticity, along with Quentin Blake limited editions - all signed by the master himself.

INFO: Lollipop Animation, at 7A High Street Passage, is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Telephone 01353 658500 or visit the website at www.lollipopanimation.com