A YORK-based new media company will be working alongside some of the biggest names in pop at this weekend's Smash Hits Pollwinners' Party.

KMA Interactive Media, based in Pavement, York, will be providing the graphics and animation for more than a dozen acts performing at the awards ceremony at the London Arena tomorrow.

After wowing audiences on Craig David's European tour and TV appearances earlier this year, the company has been called on to work for acts such as Westlife, Steps, S Club 7 and Shaggy.

KMA's team has been working around the clock to design and create the stunning visual displays for each of the acts.

Each of the animations has been customised to suit the image and music of the stars at the show, who also include Ash, Hear'Say and Spice Girl Emma Bunton.

The show, presented by Vernon Kay and Margarita Taylor from T4, will be screened live on Channel 4 tomorrow afternoon.

KMA's work will take centre stage on four huge screens behind the bands. Animations will also react to the screams and applause of the 11,000 pop fans in the audience as the awards are presented.

Despite the company's experience in large-scale music and television events, having worked on live shows for MTV and Channel 4, KMA's creative director, Kit Monkman, is still hugely excited.

He said: "Working with so many bands to such a tight schedule will be something very different for us.

"Although we've been working very hard over the past few weeks to get everything looking great, it's still going to take a lot of hard work from everybody on the day to ensure that it all runs smoothly.

"It is a little daunting to be playing such a large part in the event and in front of 11,000 screaming fans and live TV cameras, but we're sure we will help to make this a day to remember."

Managing Director Gill Greaves said the project was already leading to more contracts in the music industry.

She said: "It's such an international industry, a lot of our clients are based around the country, especially in London, we find that working in York is quite an advantage.

"People love to visit us. It's a beautiful contrast to the innovative work we are doing and the high technology, it really appeals to people."

Updated: 11:26 Saturday, December 08, 2001