The 52 x 10-minute series has already been pre-bought by CBeebies in the UK, and Aardman International is looking to secure further worldwide pre-sale deals at the market. Currently in pre-production, Timmy is scheduled for transmission in 2009. The series combines Aardman’s world-class stop-motion style with the colourful simplicity of classic pre-school animation. The character designs for Timmy are based on sketches by Academy award-winning Nick Park.

Timmy made his first television appearance in Aardman’s hit animated series Shaun the Sheep, which has racked up television sales and licensing deals in over 150 territories and has won several prestigious accolades including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival earlier this year. Aardman’s Jackie Cockle is Creative Producer and Supervising Director, and Miles Bullough is Executive Producer. Jackie joined Aardman earlier this year from Hot Animation to spearhead Aardman’s expansion into pre-school programming. She has an impressive track record and a wealth of credits including: Bob the Builder, Rocky and the Dodos, Oakie Doke, Noddy and The Wind in the Willows. She was also an animator on Cinderella and Chorlton and the Wheelies.

Jackie Cockle says: “Pre-schoolers around the world will be able to identify with Timmy as he learns universal lessons about himself, his friends and the world around him. Timmy’s world is set over the hill and down the lane from Shaun’s Farm and is a bright, colourful, stylised world with its own unique look sitting alongside Shaun’s world. We’re delighted that CBeebies has already acquired Timmy and we are hopeful that other broadcasters will soon be on board.”

Kay Benbow, Head of CBeebies Production, Animation and Acquisitions adds: “The BBC has a long standing relationship with Aardman, so we are delighted that CBeebies will be home to Timmy in the UK. Shaun the Sheep has been a great success for older viewers and we know that that this charming and quirky new series will engage and entertain our younger viewers just as much. The designs are adorable and the first class scripts ooze the warmth and wit the viewers have come to expect from Aardman. Timmy will be an extremely valuable addition to the CBeebies animation portfolio and I am delighted to be working with Miles and Jackie on the project.”

Aimed at both boys and girls, the series will be non dialogue, but will feature a variety of animal noises, comedy, fun and strong character animation.

Timmy, age 3 (in sheep years), is adorable, but he’s a little lamb with a lot to learn.

Each episode will follow a day in the life of Timmy in Nursery as he learns something about himself and all is friends – an assortment of bright young animals, some farmyard, some domestic, some wild.