The Sarah Jane Adventures

New CBBC spin-off announced.

Russell T Davies has created The Sarah Jane Adventures, a brand new series for CBBC.

Set in present-day West London, the programme stars Elisabeth Sladen, continuing her much-loved role as Sarah Jane Smith.

Yasmin Paige will join her as Sarah's 13-year-old neighbour Maria.

A 60-minute special which will be broadcast in early 2007, with a series following later in the year.

In the special, Sarah and Maria form an unlikely alliance to fight evil alien forces at work in Britain, and against the scheming Ms Wormwood, played by Samantha Bond.

"I left Sarah Jane but she never left me," said Elisabeth. "I can't wait to return to Cardiff (where filming is based) to find out what's going to happen to her next."

"Children's TV has a fine history of fantasy thrillers," added Russell T Davies. "I loved them as a kid, and they were the very first things I ever wrote. So it's brilliant to return to such a vivid and imaginative area of television."

Filming on the special, written by Russell and Gareth Roberts, begins next month. It will be directed by Colin Teague and produced by Susie Liggat. The full series goes into production in spring 2007.