BOB the Builder creator Curtis Jobling has given a talk to students at the University of Chester’s Padgate campus.

The author and illustrator, a former Great Sankey High School pupil who still lives in the town, spoke about his career in the creative industries.

He also gave advice on how to find work and gain contacts.

Staff and students on advertising, radio, television, photography, film and media courses at the Crab Lane campus attended.

Jobling also had time to draw several of his well-known cartoon characters and read a chapter from one of his series of Wereworld booked, as well as signing books and creating doodles for attendees.

Caroline Ford, the university’s deputy head of music, media and performing arts, said: “It was really good.

“He talked about his passion for storytelling, which was brilliant.

“Obviously he’s worked in animation, and now he’s a writer and he’s done all these different things – but it’s an experience relevant to everyone in media, and I think that’s why there were no seats left.

“We had students from right across the programmes attending.

“He was just very engaging and he talked about the joy of working within the creative industry.”

Film and television production student Kyle Rossi was among those present.

The 20-year-old added: “Going to the talk with Curtis Jobling gave me the opportunity to see someone who has become successful in the industry I am looking to work in one day.

“This has inspired me to keep working hard and power through with my own career goals for the future.”