A digital radio station offering entertainment with comedy, drama and daily children's programmes is to be launched by the BBC.

BBC 7, formerly known as Network Z, will complete the corporation's line-up of digital radio stations.

We believe BBC 7 will bring a whole new audience to speech radio

Helen Boaden Controller Radio 4

In October, the Asian Network will launch, and BBC 7 will follow a few months later.

The new station will make extensive use of the BBC's radio archive.

Mary Kalemkerian, editor of BBC 7 said: "There's nothing like being asked to create a brand new network from the biggest broadcasting archive in the world to get the adrenalin going.

"For me and my team it's been exhilarating, exciting, and at times frightening.

"BBC 7 gives us a tremendous opportunity to bring new listeners to speech radio through a range of wonderful programmes and the latest technology."

Author readings

The children's line-up includes: Big Toe, a live and interactive programme for 9 to 11-year-olds, on seven days a week from between 1600 and 1800.

Each day there will be five stories from some of the best known children's authors such as Roald Dahl, Jacqueline Wilson, Anne Fine and Philip Pullman.

Readings from writers such as Phillip Pullman

Ruth Gardiner, editor of the Children's Unit, BBC Radio, responsible for Big Toe said: "We've tried very hard to listen to what children tell us they like and dislike and they're never afraid to say what they think.

"I'm sure we won't get it completely right at the start - but we'll be listening to their feedback once they hear Big Toe."

There will also be seven hours of comedy, more than five hours of drama and two hours of books each day on the station.

Helen Boaden, controller of BBC Radio 4 said: "We believe BBC 7 will bring a whole new audience to speech radio with the great new children's show and the wonderful programmes the rest of us already value so much."

BBC 7 completes the family of digital stations launched this year by BBC Radio.

They include: 1Xtra, 5 Live Sports Extra, and 6 Music.