|PIC1|The latest DVD in the award-winning Friends and Heroes children's action adventure TV series was released at the end of last week, containing episode 16, 'The Ram' and episode 17, 'Rescue Strangers'.

The new addition to the series has received positive feedback from viewers and reviewers and features both 2D and 3D state-of-the-art animation. It also includes Bible stories in every episode.

In the latest episodes, Macky and Portia have travelled to Jerusalem where life is very difficult for those who live inside the besieged walled city. At the beginning of Episode 16, Portia's Uncle Tiberius, now a general in the Roman Army, decides that he needs to break through the city walls and brings a giant battering ram to the city. Macky has to do something but id just a teenager against the might of the Roman Army.

In Episode 17 Tamar, a stranger, takes advantage of Macky and puts him in serious danger as he tries to rescue a prisoner in the Roman camp. Only Portia can help Macky but she is angry because he has taken Tamar's advice instead of hers! What will Portia do and will she act in time?

This DVD, which contains two 25 minute episodes plus lots of extras, has the themes "Grace and Humility" and tells the Bible stories of Elijah, Ahab, Naboth and the vineyard, Paul and the Shipwreck, Paul and Barnabas (Acts 14) and David and King Saul.

Friends and Heroes aims to bring exciting, relevant and contextualised Bible stories to today's generation of children in the form of communication they most relate to - television.

Shown on BBC TV last year, the series is now available on DVD and both school and Sunday school lessons have been created to support its use in those contexts.

"We have been thrilled at the number of compliments and top reviews the programmes have attracted," said Alison and David Dorricott, Executive Producers.

"With five-star reviews and a large number of positive viewer comments, it is obvious that this series is engaging with its young audience. Some children tell us that they can't wait for each new episode."

Hailed as "The Best Youth/Children's Programme of 2007" by the UK's Religious Broadcasting Council, Friends and Heroes has been commended by many children and parents who have been watching the show with their families.

"Friends and Heroes is a wonderful show for my son Joshua. I enjoy it as well," said Melissa.

Charlie said, "Thank you for teaching kids and grownups how to do good. I am so glad that it has stories from the Bible."

A recent Christian publication gave Episodes 14 and 15 (DVD 8) of Friends and Heroes a 5-star review, calling the series "an excellent product and well worth the price".

Friends and Heroes DVDs, each costing £15, can be purchased from many Christian Bookshops or on www.friendsandheroes.com