Andy Pandy rides again on CBeebies

New UK digital children's channel CBeebies is to air the BBC's latest trip down memory lane, an updated version of 1950s toon Andy Pandy, at the end of March.

The 26×5' series is being produced for the BBC and Ben Productions by Granada-controlled animation house Cosgrove Hall. The Manchester-based outfit has already begun delivering episodes.

The show, which mixes stop-frame with cgi, will see an airing on BBC2 a week after its CBeebies premiere.

Narrated by actor Tom Conti (Shirley Valentine), the new series of Andy Pandy will air on CBBC in 2002. The toon will follow the original characters Andy Pandy, Looby Loo and Teddy – this time without visible strings – alongside new characters.

These include Bilbo (a sailor), Tiffo (a dog), Orbie (a ball) and Missy Hissy (a snake). They, and the original trio, have been transplanted from their picnic basket into their own houses overlooking a village green.

The new show is being distributed by BBC Worldwide.