The epic poem Beowulf is being adapted into an ITV drama, the broadcaster has confirmed.

The Old English poem, which documents the eponymous hero's battles with a monster and a dragon, will be made into a 13-part drama.

Described as a "Western set in the Dark Ages of Britain's mythic past", the series will be filmed "amongst the breathtaking beauty of England's North East".

It comes after ITV announced a string of period dramas, such as The Frankenstein Chronicles starring Sean Bean, and Jekyll & Hyde, set in 1930s London.

The drama promised "epic fights, thrilling chases, raids, celebrations and battles" in the drama.

"Beowulf is a series about courage, greed, betrayal, revenge, loyalty, power, man versus wilderness and, of course, love," it said.

"It is a series that explores the notion of good and evil, heroes and villains.

"However, beyond these wider political undercurrents and inner personal turmoils are the excitement, danger and sense of adventure that any great Western has."

Writer and executive producer James Dormer said: "Hundreds of years ago our ancestors listened to the story of Beowulf because it was a great adventure story - it scared them, thrilled them, made them laugh and cry.

"But they also listened because they recognised themselves and their fears in it.

"By holding a mirror up to them this story helped define them, and thus - us. So it's incredibly exciting to have the opportunity to make it relevant again for a wide audience - to let them own it again, to let them see themselves in it."

The cast has not yet been announced.