The new Dennis the Menace and Gnasher TV series is to air on CBBC in late 2017.

Dennis the Menace and Gnasher

Dennis the Menace and Gnasher

The iconic Beano comic book characters have had a CGI makeover in 'Dennis and Gnasher - Unleashed!' and the programme - consisting of 52 11-minute episodes - will see mischievous Dennis and his equally naughty dog wreak havoc on the BBC children's channel after being ordered by CBBC Channel Controller Cheryl Taylor.

The show is being created by Beano Studios, a new business set up by publishers DC Thomson as part of a relaunch of the Beano as a global entertainment network for kids.

Emma Scott, CEO of Beano Studios, said: "We're thrilled to be working with CBBC on the new series, which will see us bring Dennis to life and bang up to date in CGI for the next generation of Beano fans."

Taylor added: "Dennis and Gnasher have been unleashing their own particular brand of mischief on CBBC for many years and their ardent fans will be delighted by this wonderful new series from two of the UK's most notorious rascals."

Working with BAFTA and Emmy award winning animators Jellyfish Pictures, the series is directed by Boris Hiestand whose previous credits include the 'Harry Potter' films, 'Asterix and the Vikings', 'The Angry Birds Movie' and 'Pirates'.

Beano Studios is also creating hilarious Beano Originals shorts such as 'The Invention of Football' (by dinosaurs) and jokes delivered by the Little Squelchies for Beano.com, PopJam and YouTube.

New website Beano.com is the digital home of the magazine's vast array of characters such as Roger the Dodger, Minnie the Minx and Bananaman and the site offers a variety of funny and engaging content for seven to 10 year olds.

The weekly Beano comic is still on sale with a new design as well as the yearly Beano Annual, which is the UK's best-selling annual book.