The former Byker Grove actors are the voices behind Engie Benjy which will go head-to-head with the BBC favourites from early September.

It follows the adventures of an "engine doctor" who fixes his friends' fantastical vehicles, from a sleepwalking bus to a hiccuping aeroplane.

Dec plays blue-haired Engie Benjy while Ant provides the voice for his pet dog Jollop.

Ant with his cartoon character Jollop

In another celebrity signing, TV favourite Les Dennis will voice two characters - Pilot Pete and Astronaut Al.

The series is devised by Cosgrove Hall Films, which was behind hit children's shows Dangermouse, Chorlton and the Wheelies and The Wind In The Willows.

More recently the company revived the TV classic Bill and Ben. Clint Boon, formerly of the Manchester band Inspiral Carpets which had a string of hits in the 1990s, has written the theme tune.

The show will go out on ITV every weekday at 3.25pm from Wednesday September 4.

It is hoping to attract the same pre-school audience as The Tweenies, which airs at the same time on BBC1.