Postman Pat's cat is to get a new spin-off series all to himself.

The show, aimed at pre-schoolers, will follow the adventures of black-and-white cat Jess, who, according to BBC News Online, will speak for the first time.

The original show, which first aired in 1981, used stop-motion animation, but Guess With Jess will utilise new computer-generated imagery.

Mike Heap of Postman Pat parent company Entertainment Rights, explained: "Public demand encouraged us to develop this much-loved brand. We have no doubt that Jess will continue to charm pre-schoolers in his very own show."

The show will appear on screen in 2008.