A PRESTON furniture retailer is branching out into an exciting new career -- making movies!

Tony Slater has put the finishing touches to Nanny Nicecakes and Oscar, an educational film aimed at teaching French to children aged four and five.

It was filmed in Goosnargh at the weekend and is expected to be sold at Asda, Fulwood, when it's released in the next few weeks.

Tony has been in retail for about 30 years and runs Wholesale Carpets, Suites and Beds, Holme Slack Lane, Preston, with his son.

And now the businessman plans to make learning materials in Spanish, German and other languages.

Tony, an established club singer who raises thousands of pounds annually for charity, said: "I've had the idea for a long time now, ever since I spent ten years in Spain and barely spoke a word of the language.

"Children should learn another language and I think this is a great way to teach them. In this day and age speaking a foreign language is useful on holiday, but also useful if a child wanted to work and live abroad when they're older.

The 45-minute video follows the antics of Oscar the dog and his owner Nanny Nicecakes as they enjoy a garden adventure with a group of children.

There are references made to everyday French words including colours, numbers, days of the week, months of the year and time, as well as conversations about clothing and items in the house and garden -- not to mention mouthwatering French delicacies such as fromage, croissants and pain au chocolat!

French speaking actress Libby Granger plays Nanny Nicecakes, while six children -- including two of Tony's granddaughters -- also feature in the film.

The script was written by Tony and business partner Elizabeth Clarkson and the film was been directed and produced by Ian Smith, of Metro Productions, Preston.