How to Train Your Dragon sequel wins animation award

How to Train Your Dragon 2 picked up five awards at Saturday's ceremony

How to Train Your Dragon 2 has staked its claim to this year's best animated feature Oscar by taking top honours at the 42nd Annie Awards in Los Angeles.

The DreamWorks sequel was named best feature at the event, which honoured 2014's best achievements in animation.

The film also took home awards for Dean DeBlois's direction, feature character design, storyboarding and music.

The Lego Movie won a writing award, while Sir Ben Kingsley was recognised for his voice work in The Boxtrolls.

Canine caper Feast, the short film that precedes Disney's Big Hero 6 in cinemas, was named best animated short subject.

The UK's Aardman Animations was honoured for Flight of the Stories, the short film it made to mark the opening of new galleries at London's Imperial War Museum.

Based on the book series by Britain's Cressida Cowell, How to Train Your Dragon 2 follows the adventures of a young Viking called Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless.

It won the Golden Globe for best animated feature and is up for the same awards at the Oscars and the Baftas.

The original How to Train Your Dragon was named best animated feature at the 2011 Annies but lost out at the Oscars to Toy Story 3.