|PIC1|A television series based on Bible stories for children has been scheduled for broadcast on the BBC's children's slot CBBC in March.

Set in the first century AD, the UK-produced Friends and Heroes, is the epic animated tale of two young people - Macky and Portia - whose idealism and friendship leads them across the ancient world.

Through Macky and Portia, the Friends and Heroes series brings stories of the Old and New Testament to a new, worldwide generation of children in the twenty-first century, whatever their faith or background.

The 13 episodes will be broadcast on weekdays between March 12 and 23, sometimes twice a day, starting at 12 noon and 12.30pm, or in single episodes starting at 12.30pm. The series will form part of the BBC's factual output on CBBC which is also used by schools.

Friends and Heroes is produced by Friends and Heroes Productions Ltd, a company operating in the Isle of Man.