'Sarah Jane' gets second season

A second series of The Sarah Jane Adventures is on its way, the BBC has confirmed.

CBBC controller Anne Gilchrist today announced the return of the Doctor Who spinoff as well as several other drama signings.

Sarah Jane and Who creator Russell T Davies recently said fans should "hope and pray that it does return, because I love that show and I think it should run and run".

Gilchrist also announced the return of MI High for a third series.

New CBBC dramas will include Half Moon Investigations, about crime and corruption in the school playground, Roy, about a "cartoon boy marooned in the real world", and supernatural beach-side mystery Paradise Café.

A show with the working title We Are Family will follow a family who sing together as a talk show's resident group.

Gilchrist said other new shows were in development too: "Drama is at the heart of CBBC and we are very excited about these new and returning commissions.

"As well as the titles we're announcing today, we are also developing an exciting drama based in the north east of England for 2009/10 and a project from Lime Pictures with writer Jeanette Winterson. The dramas will be from across the UK, and I am extremely proud of such a strong lineup."

Gilchrist, who also today announced the end of Grange Hill, added: "We're actively seeking out new and exciting ways of bringing social realism to the CBBC audience through drama and other genres."