An Altrincham animation studio once acclaimed by none other than Tim Burton for its 'beautiful work' is celebrating 30 years in business.

Burton was one of the first to come calling at model makers Mackinnon and Saunders for his film Mars Attacks! and has since returned for their help with Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie.

The Altrincham animation studio has also worked with Wes Anderson on Fantastic Mr Fox and with Guillermo Del Toro on Pinocchio, as well as on a number of children's TV programmes.

All of the above and much more are included in 'Mackinnon and Saunders: 30 Years and Beyond', an exhibition of original models on show at Sale Waterside from this weekend.

At a preview, surrounded by the result of 30 years in business, co-founder Peter Saunders told The Messenger: "Ian Mackinnon and I set up the company in 1992 because we lost our jobs [at Chorlton animation studio Cosgrove Hall]. We needed to pay the rent and to put food on the table.

"We didn't look more than a few weeks ahead, let alone a few years ahead."

He added: "We have confounded ourselves, because we had little expectation. We had a lot of hope, but if somebody said to us back in 1992 we were going to work with Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Guillermo Del Toro, we would have laughed.

"You don't think of Hollywood A-list directors beating a path to Cheshire somehow. We are very lucky and very privileged."

Although the original models are the stars, in particular those from still to be released Pinocchio, there is also a selection of photographs to show the team at Mackinnon and Saunders at work.

The size of this team is scaled up and down with demand, but it averages 30 people and sometimes reaches up to 100 people.

Peter said: "This exhibition is to celebrate the people who work with us, this wonderful team of artists. Without them we'd amount to nothing."

The free 'Mackinnon and Saunders: 30 Years and Beyond' exhibition is open at Sale Waterside from this weekend and it runs for three months.

For information, go to watersidearts.org.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. Jack is the reporter for The Messenger and covers anything and everything from within the Metropolitan Borough of Trafford.

To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.