PRESTON-born animator Nick Park is crying 'fowl' after a children's author claimed the plot of the box-office smash Chicken Run is similar to a book he wrote six years ago.

The claim from English writer Alan Davidson comes after the cartoon movie, co-produced by Steven Spielberg, grossed more than $100 million in the States.

The children's author claims to have alerted Nick Park and his film-making company, Aardman Animation, to more than 300 similarities between his book, Escape From the Cold Ditch, published in 1994, and the multi-million dollar movie.

Aardman Animation based in Bristol, flatly deny the claims and remain confident that Chicken Run is based on an original concept. Nick Park (pictured) was unavailable for comment, but a spokesperson for Aardman Animations said: "The film is based on an original concept and the claim made by Mr Davidson is strenuously denied.

"As far as we are concerned, this is a no-story and the matter is now in the hands of our lawyers."

Mr Davidson is now seeking legal advice claiming possible breach of contact against the company.

Davidson's book, Escape from Cold Ditch, was described before its release as a "marvellously original fable" and has been adapted for use in schools.

Like Chicken Run, the narrative mimics the style of a Second World War prison escape drama.