THE health service in Bristol has hit upon a new way to tackle the issue of emergency contraception this Christmas – by commissioning a cartoon film.

The short film, made by Bedminster animator Ian Ball, is called Penelope's Poor Choice and is encouraging young people to make the right choices about contraception and sexual health services over the festive period.

It features a character called Penelope who wakes up to find somebody else in her bed. Worried that she might be pregnant, the character heads to the hospital for the morning-after pill.

Bristol's director of public health, Hugh Annett said: "It is important that young people know where to go for emergency contraception.

"Going to your local pharmacy, GP surgery or walk-in centre will save them up to a four-hour wait.

"This film is a little tongue in cheek but it has an important message."

Mr Ball's film has already had more than 1,130 views on YouTube.

Based in Bedminster Ian launched Albinal Limited last year. He has previously made short films for the NHS and clips were shown on television as part of an E4 competition.

He said: "These days with the internet and social media there is more advantage in doing this kind of thing. You can't see who is looking but it's obviously reaching somebody.

"Doing it this way is a little unusual but it's attractive to young people. It's better than doing a pitch to camera because people aren't interested in being lectured. Animation is cheap to make, you can make it quite quickly on a single computer. When you shoot film you need different cameras and locations."

Penelope's Poor Choice was made in two months. Its underlying message is delivered in the form of a humorous rap, inspired by Ian's time in a hip hop band called Zark7. He explained: "I was thinking of what the character was doing. I thought she should be making a proper choice and then I wanted to call her Penelope.

"I tried to use my Bristolian accent as much as possible.

"So although it has a national message it's still a local film."