The first female pilot to fly solo from Britain to Australia has been "brought back to life" with ground-breaking 3D technology.

Amy Johnson completed the journey from London to Darwin in 1930 - one of many record-breaking flights during her career.

To mark 75 years since her death, experts from the university in her home town of Hull have worked with Glasgow School of Art's (GSA) Digital Design Studio to create a fully interactive digital 3D version of Ms Johnson - which can even walk and talk about her achievements.

Glasgow Times:

Motion capture technology similar to that used by Hollywood studios to create characters such as Gollum in Lord Of The Rings was used by GSA and the University of Hull's Immersive Virtual Environment (Hive) to create the model.

Raw footage of Ms Johnson and actress Rachel Harris was captured and computer scientists then applied 3D modelling effects and animation techniques to create the character.

A model of 19th century MP William Wilberforce, who pioneered the abolition of the slavery movement, is also being developed.

"Virtual Amy" will go display in the children's library within Hull Central Library as part of the Amy Johnson Festival.

Festival director Rick Welton said: "The Virtual Amy project showcases how the technology and engineering can be used to create something visually stunning.

"The aim of the Amy Johnson Festival is to inspire people, especially women, to take an interest in engineering, as well as demonstrating how engineering blends with art and design."

Dr Jon Purdy, Hive centre manager, said: "It's an honour to get the opportunity to recreate two pioneering historical figures using movie-standard special effects.

"The technology we've adopted means the Amy and William characters will be recreated in a very realistic way and in high definition. The characters will recount stories from their life - retelling significant points in history in an unusual and interactive way."

Glasgow Times:

GSA was also involved in creating 3D characters for the award-winning Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre near Stirling.

Dr Paul Chapman, acting director of the GSA Digital Design Studio, said: "We're very happy to have worked with the University of Hull on this project creating the high-quality motion capture and 3D modelling of Amy Johnson and William Wilberforce.

"We feel positive that the exhibition will be a success and will highlight the incredible lives of these two pioneers."