More Thomas and Art Attack from Gullane

Gullane Entertainment is ramping up production of its best-known series, including Thomas the Tank Engine and Art Attack, as it looks to solidify its superbrands around the world.

The UK producer-distributor is aiming to produce 78 new episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine over the next two years. Twenty-six episodes are currently in production at Shepperton Studios in the UK, for autumn 2002 delivery.

It will also produce a mammoth 208 new episodes of its children's art series, Art Attack, for the European and Latin American markets. Following completion of a new 26-part run in Portuguese, the series will be available in eight different languages.

Gullane bought the Guinness World Records (GWR) franchise last summer and a 50% interest in Fireman Sam at the end of 2001.

It reported pre-tax profits for the six months to December last year up 36% to £6.3m ($9.1m) excluding one-off costs. Turnover rose to £31.6m ($47.4m) from £19.3m ($28m) for the same period in 2000.

Gullane chief executive William Harris said: {With the roll-out of new episodes of Thomas, currently in production, and the licensing programme for the GWR brand, we have plans in progress for our Super Brands, which support our commitment to long term growth and the creation of quality entertainment products.{

Gullane's distribution library comprises more than 30 children's series totalling more than 2,000 hours of programming.