The Doctor Travels Across UK

The Eleventh and newest Doctor (Matt Smith) is going on a tour of the UK with his new companion Amy Pond, who is played by Karen Gillan.

Fans young and old will be introduced to the show's two latest stars and will be able to watch the first episode of the next series, entitled 'The Eleventh Hour'.

Matt and Karen will visit five cities - Belfast, Karen's hometown Inverness, Sunderland, Salford and Northampton, the hometown of Matt - and are travelling to each location in a 'Doctor Who'-themed tour bus, featuring the new TARDIS logo and iconic imagery.

Piers Wenger, Executive Producer and Head of Drama BBC Wales, said: "This is a great opportunity for the new Doctor and his companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to 'Doctor Who' - the fans. The chance to visit them in their hometowns will ensure that the Eleventh Doctor's maiden voyage is an utterly magical one."

As well as meeting the new Doctor, fans will also get to see the 'Doctor Who' trailer in 3-D, will be able to have their photo taken tumbling through the time vortex and can meet some of the scariest monsters ever to have battled the time-traveller.

The tour - which kicks off on March 29 in Belfast - is taking in place in conjunction with BBC Outreach, whose aim is to take the BBC into small communities.