A child’s-eye view of the town in which they live is revealed in a delightful animated film, all about Poole.

By the Sea was made by youngsters from Old Town First School and Nursery and provides a unique guide for those of a certain age.

And in a first for the tourism industry, the video can be viewed on Poole Tourism’s website.

Using their ideas, drawings and voices, 277 children aged three to eight worked on the film with digital artist and film maker James Price.

Featuring local landmarks including the harbour and lifting bridge, the children focused on things important to them, such as seeing trains whizzing around the edge of Poole Park as they slid down the slide.

A visit to the traditional sweet shop in the old town and cheeky seagulls trying to pinch chips on Poole Quay are included in the delightful drawings, as are ducks dodging cars in the park, a lifeboat rescue and dolphins.

“We wanted to do something different that involved the whole school and showed something about the unique place we live and work in,” said headteacher Maria Vinney.

“It was very exciting. Every child contributed in some way – even the nursery children made the backing track, complete with sound effects.”

Supported by a grant from Creative Partnerships, the children went out in small groups to draw and photograph what they saw around them and worked with James and staff.

Some older children worked on the rhyming script and the four-minute film was enjoyed by the whole school at its Lighthouse premiere.

It ends with the advice: “If you want to holiday somewhere cool, come and visit us in Poole.”