Paddington Bear is 'Britain's favourite animated character'

The bear millions of children grew up watching on television has been named Britain's favourite animated character.

The duffle coat-wearing Paddington Bear from deepest darkest Peru won a UK-wide vote at the annual British Animation Awards.

Paddington Bear made his debut on BBC1 in 1975 and was named after the London station at which he was found.

Paddington Bear made his literary debut in 1958 courtesy of his creator Michael Bond.

His first book, A Bear Called Paddington, told how he was packed off by his Aunt Lucy who went into a retirement home in Lima and made his way to Britain where he was adopted by the Brown family.

The BBC series, voiced by Michael Hordern, featured a stop-motion puppet while other characters were paper cut-outs.

Paddington was the clear winner of the online public vote which took place over a number of weeks.

The ninth annual British Animation Awards were held in central London.

Here is the full list of winners:

• Britain's favourite animated character: Paddington Bear

• Best short film: A Morning Stroll

• Best long form film: Maska; The Gruffalo's Child (joint winners)

• Best pre-school series: Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom

• Children's choice: The Amazing World Of Gumball

• Best children's series: The Amazing World Of Gumball

• Best mixed media children's series: Bookaboo

• Best music video: Liz Green - Displacement Song

• Best 3D commercial: Coca Cola - Siege

• Best 2D commercial: Tempo - Bike

• Best stop motion commercial: Nokia - Dot

• Best film/TV graphics: Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part 1: The tale of the three brothers

• Best student film: The Eagleman Stag

• Best commissioned animation: Nokia - Gulp

• Public choice best short film: Bertie Crisp

• Public choice best music video: Gorillaz - Stylo

• Public choice best commercial: Pilsner Urquell Legends: The day Pilsner struck gold