A delegation of Canadian animators has arrived in the UK to secure commissions and tap up kids indies for coproduction deals.

The British Columbia-based group, backed by funding agency Creative BC and trade group the Canadian Media Production Association, will visit animation companies and commissioners in London and Manchester.

They are looking to take advantage of the animation tax credit, introduced in April 2013, which they claim has resulted in £42m of investment in kids shows.

“We are visiting the UK to explore the options for world-beating co-productions – tapping the skills and creativity of animators on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Robert Wong, vice president of the Creative BC. “The favourable tax regime in the UK through the animation tax credit has made collaboration a real possibility for the first time in several years.”

Wong added that British Columbian animators were responsible for series including the latest episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine, the Barbie Cartoon and forthcoming shows Pirate Express and Slugterra.

The delegation follows the acquisition of Teletubbies-owner Ragdoll Worldwide by Vancouver-based DHX Media in September 2013.