FOR one brief day a North Oxford community centre was transformed into an intergalactic hub of rockets, aliens and flying saucers.

Animator Emma Dougherty took a group of youngsters on a journey around the galaxy in her stop motion masterclass.

The StopMoGo creator now has her sights on getting disabled children involved in animation.

St Margaret’s Institute in Polstead Road, Oxford, was given over to hand crafted models and video cameras as the children were put through their paces.

The former teacher said: “We had all the props and costumes out and went for it.

“The children loved it and it helped them develop so many skills from computers to honing their eye for detail. They took a DVD of their film home at the end too, so had something tangible to take from the day.

“We had a lot of fun, the children get to look at ways of making 3D from 2D models.”

Miss Dougherty left East Oxford Primary School four years ago to start her own business, dreaming of creating the next Wallace and Gromit.

The Jericho resident added: “I want to try and help disadvantaged people share my passion.

“I hope to start getting into schools and getting funding to run courses.”