THE SNOWMAN AND THE SNOWDOG at LONGLEAT near FROME

Visitors to Longeat Safari & Adventure Park will be able to watch

the much-anticipated The Snowman and The Snowdog on a giant outdoor

screen from December 26th – January 7th.

The sequel to Raymond Briggs' classic The Snowman the animated film

reunites audiences with The Snowman and introduces a new best friend,

The Snowdog - complete with odd socks for ears and a satsuma for a nose.

The film will be screened several times daily on a giant screen located

close to the Wiltshire attraction's giant outdoor ice skating rink and

will be free with a valid Christmas Ticket or Annual Pass.

Longleat's Steve Mytton said: "We're delighted to be able to show the

new film on a big screen so soon after its television premiere on

Channel 4 at 8pm on Christmas Eve.

"It will provide a fantastic added attraction to our Christmas and New

Year celebrations and will, I'm sure, appeal to visitors of all ages",

he added.

As well as screening the new film, Longleat will also be playing host to

an ice skating Snowman costume character who will be joining visitors

on the ice rink from December 22nd.

Working in close consultation with Raymond Briggs (author and creator of

The Snowman, published by Puffin Books),  The Snowman and The Snowdog

has been written by Hilary Audus and Joanna Harrison and is directed by

Audus and art directed by Harrison - both of whom worked as animators on

the original film.

Originally adapted for the screen in 1982, The Snowman has been screened

by Channel 4 every year since it was first transmitted and has

enchanted generations of children.

Raymond Briggs began writing and illustrating children's books more than forty years ago. His unique and distinctive style became established with the publication

of Father Christmas in the early 70s, followed by Fungus the Bogeyman,

the satire on nuclear war When the Wind Blows and, in 1978, The Snowman,

which has become one of the most popular children's books ever

published.

  *   Running until January 7thChristmas at Longleat brings together all

the magic of the festive season in one amazing day out with outdoor ice

rink, festive fayre, pantomime tales in Longleat House, Owls by

Moonlight flying displays and the famous Santa Express. Details visit www.longleat.co.uk