CBeebies' Katie Morag could boost tourism, says author Hedderwick

Cherry Campbell from Glasgow plays the lead role in the new children's TV series

Writer Mairi Hedderwick has said the TV adaption of her Katie Morag children's stories could boost tourism to the Hebrides.

Filming of the 26 episodes for CBeebies took place on Lewis. Cherry Campbell from Glasgow plays the lead role.

Following a preview of the new show in Stornoway, Hedderwick said visits to the Hebrides by tourists could increase as a result of the programme.

The new series will be screened next month.

Struay, the fictional island in the books, was based on the Isle of Coll off Mull.

However, Hedderwick said Lewis had the infrastructure needed by the TV production crew for creating the new series.

The writer: "It is a wonderful advertisement, so to speak, for this part of the world, not just Lewis, but all the Hebridean islands.

"I hope that it will bring a lot of people to this part of the world."

The 14-minute Katie Morag programmes have been produced by Scottish independent company Move on Up.

It used both studio facilities on Lewis as well as the backdrop of the Hebridean landscape.

Hundreds of girls auditioned for the lead role.

The casting team held auditions in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Stornoway.