Fireman Sam to be shown in Arabic

Fireman Sam first aired on the BBC and S4C in 1984

Animated character Fireman Sam is to be dubbed into Arabic for viewers of the al-Jazeera Children's Channel (JCC).

Fireman Sam, whose adventures can be seen on the BBC's CBeebies channel, is produced by HIT Entertainment Ltd.

Three of its other titles - Magic Key, Shakespeare's Animated Tales and Oswald - will also be shown on the Arabic language channel, launched last month.

"It has been exciting to be involved in a new children's channel," said HIT's Alison Homewood.

"We are pleased to have expanded HIT's portfolio in the Middle East."

First shown in 1986, Fireman Sam has been shown to more than 40 countries including Australia and Poland.

Set in the Welsh town of Pontypandy, the character was created by Dave Gingell and Dave Jones, two former firemen from Kent.