SHAUN THE SHEEP STARS IN BBC CHRISTMAS IDENTS

Shaun the Sheep and friends are to star in this year's BBC One Christmas idents.

The series of festive idents are designed to coincide with a half-hour Shaun the Sheep special which broadcast on BBC One.

The new film centres on Shaun trying to find Timmy who goes missing after a farmhouse raid to get bigger stockings for the flock.

Aardman director Steve Harding-Hill said: "It feels like a bit of a Shaun takeover on the BBC, which is nice for us. You’ll see Shaun on the ‘idents’ and then, when you see the trailer for the film, there will be a connection."

BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said: "Nothing brings audiences together like Christmas on the BBC, and the star of this years BBC Christmas idents is also at the heart of our festive family offer."

The idents will be broadcast from Saturday 4th December.