The future of Aardman Animations - and Wallace & Gromit - is uncertain as the studio is on the verge of running out of its special clay.

Aardman differs from most other major animation studio because of its use of Lewis Newsplast to mould its characters.

This is a plasticine-like substance which is easy to mould but also keeps its shape under hot studio lights.

However, it was only made by one factory, and the Torquay-based manufacturer closed earlier this year.