The action moves from Slough to Scranton, Pennsylvania

The series, which kicks off on NBC on 24 March, sees Steve Carrell playing lead character Michael Scott, based on Ricky Gervais' David Brent.

The US production has different characters and script from the original but sticks to the same premise of an irritating office manager.

Gervais and co-writer Stephen Merchant acted as executive producers.

BBC Three is due to screen the US series later this year.

The UK version of The Office became a surprise US hit when it scooped two Golden Globes in 2004, becoming the first British sitcom to win best comedy prize at the annual awards in Los Angeles.

Dunder Mifflin

Shortly afterwards NBC bought up the rights to remake the UK series and began hunting for someone to take over the mantle from Gervais.

They plumped for Carrell, a regular on The Daily Show who also appeared in the Jim Carrey film Bruce Almighty in 2003.

In the US show, his character Michael Scott is regional manager of Dunder Mifflin, a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

"There will be a huge curiosity around the US version of The Office, and we are delighted that the BBC is bringing this series to UK audiences," said George McGhee, BBC controller of acquisitions.