Mouse aims to bring the house down

Dame Judi Dench and her actress daughter Finty Williams are bringing to life a ballet-dancing mouse, which creators hope will be the next big animation sensation.

Angelina Ballerina, which follows the adventures of a mouse who dreams of a career as a dancer, will hit the screens in Britain this northern autumn.

Based on the successful children's books, which have sold millions worldwide, the animated series has been produced by HIT Entertainment, the company behind the recent Bob The Builder phenomenon.

Dame Judi provides the voice of the mouse's dance teacher, Miss Lilly, while her daughter does Angelina's voice.

With a book and merchandising deal already struck, HIT will be hoping its latest project is as big a success as Bob The Builder, which has spawned a No 1 single and made millions for the creators.

Kate Fawkes, managing director of HIT Productions, said: "Angelina Ballerina, the series, carries all the beauty, wit and charm of the books on to the screen.

"The finished films are better than anything we had hoped for, and have that mystery ingredient that often makes a big hit."

The mouse was created in 1983 by author Katharine Holabird and illustrator Helen Craig.

- NZPA