Zog is flying back to TV screens with a new series coming to the BBC

A friendly dragon you might remember from bedtime stories is spreading his wings once again.

The BBC has announced a brand-new animated series all about Zog, the big-hearted dragon who practised flying fast and free, he soared and swooped and looped the loop... then crashed into a tree.

Luckily for Zog, in the books written by Julian Donaldson, he meets Princess Pearl who makes him better, and together with Gadabout the knight they became 'The Flying Doctors'.

The new series will follow their adventures, helping fantastical creatures who are ill or injured.

Zog first appeared in Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much-loved book, which begins with Zog at school: "Who tried his hardest everyday to win a golden star", but gets in a few scrapes along the way.

Your family might also know other Julia Donaldson stories and Axel Scheffler illustrations from books such as The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom and Stickman.

The new Zog series will see the orange dragon star in 52 short episodes, full of jokes and adventures.

It will be made by Magic Light Pictures, the team behind the two existing Zog films - Zog and its sequel the Flying Doctors - that have been watched millions of times already on BBC iPlayer.

Martin Pope and Michael Rose, co-founders of Magic Light Pictures, said: "Taking Julia and Axel's extraordinary characters on these new adventures is a great privilege and we hope they will delight children and families all over the world."

Samson Kayo the voice of Zog, said: "I've never been asked to treat a unicorn with anxiety or an acute attack of the giggles before! Exciting times ahead. Let's go Zog!"

Patsy Ferran who is the voice of Princess Pearl, said: "I feel privileged to get to voice the delightful Doctor Princess Pearl. I recently overheard a young girl telling her mother she wanted to dress as Pearl for World Book Day."

Will Merrick added: "Voicing Sir Gadabout the Great is a total pleasure. He's taught me a lot about bravery and the importance of listening."

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the original book being published and the Zog stories have sold more than 5.5 million copies worldwide.

"Zog has already captured the hearts of millions through the books and animated films. This delightful new adventure marks the first full series on the BBC from the outstanding minds of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, building on the amazing specials that air each year and are so loved by children and families," said Kate Morton, from BBC Children's and Education.

The new Zog series follows the recent Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler adaptation, The Scarecrows' Wedding, which aired on BBC One and BBC iPlayer over Christmas and was the most-watched programme of Christmas week, attracting 8.7m million viewers.