NOVELIST and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce has scripted an episode of the Doctor Who series that features the voice of Peppa Pig.

Cottrell Boyce, who wrote the opening ceremony for London 2012, said he was "flabbergasted" to be invited to work on the show.

The episode, to be screened later this year, features a cast of young actors including Harley Bird, who landed a Bafta for voicings animated character Peppa, as well as Abigail Eames who featured in The Crimson Field, Ashley Foster from The Woman In Black and Jaydon Harris-Wallace. Cottrell Boyce's films have included 24 Hour Party People, about the Manchester music scene, and the Danny Boyle-directed Millions.