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More of the North East will appear on screen as the first day of principal photography for the second series of hit children’s programme Tracy Beaker Returns gets underway in the region.

Devised by multi-award winning children's author Jacqueline Wilson and the drama team at C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳, filming will take place from July until October in and around Newcastle and Northumberland.

Following the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳’s commitment to give northern towns, cities and places greater exposure on screen by 2016, Peter Salmon, the first Director ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ North said: "Now we are on our second series of Tracy Beaker we will see more of Tyneside on screen and even an episode set on an orienteering course in the glorious Northumbrian countryside."

Filmed in Jesmond, Newcastle, Tracy Beaker, played by Dani Harmer, returns back at the Dumping Ground, but now as a young adult working there with varying levels of success.

The return follows news that the first series of the show was one of the highest ever rated shows on C³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ channel.

Northern Film and Media (NFM) chief executive Tom Harvey said: "It's absolutely fantastic that following the successful 13-part first series, the team behind Tracy Beaker have opted to return to the North East.

"With the new cast including more North East kids we are genuinely thrilled that Tracy Beaker is coming back for another series.

"To be based and filmed in the region fills a void that shows like Byker Grove left and we are working closely with the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ to really embed the show in the North East."

VT