Walking With Dinosaurs has proved another international hit

The Tweenies' global popularity means they have now repeated the huge the money-spinning success of their predecessors the Teletubbies.

The figure was disclosed in the annual report and accounts of BBC Worldwide - the corporation's commercial branch - covering the period April 1999 to 31 March 2000.

The landmark natural history series Walking With Dinosaurs was also highlighted as a money-spinner, generating �2.3m in programme sales to 40 countries.

Added to that, the series has sold 1.3 million Walking With Dinosaurs books in 13 languages around the world. A video of the programmes has also become a best-seller.

Still tops

Overall, the annual report shows that BBC Worldwide's turnover increased by 15% from �446m to �514m.

Continuing to boost the BBC's accounts are the Teletubbies, the original multi-coloured children's stars.

Teletubbies are still going strong

Since they were launched in 1997, the pre-school favourites have generated more than �90m and have been exported 120 countries in 35 different languages.

Last year alone, the Teletubbies made �32.3m.

Other successes highlighted by BBC Worldwide include the Miami 7 TV series, starring pop group S Club 7, which has gone out to 97 countries.

Top Of The Pops has become another important global brand, now seen in 84 territories.

The series' producer Chris Cowey is in talks to develop TOTP in the US.