Two-hour '24' film on the way

Producers are planning a two-hour instalment of 24 to bridge the gap between seasons six and seven.

The film is likely to air in the autumn in the US ahead of the next series in January. 24 was due to resume at the beginning of this year but Fox put it on hold because of the writers' strike.

Eight episodes that were completed could have gone to air this year but the network decided to hold them all.

Producers began signing cast members up for the film this week. Writers are also working on final episodes of the seventh season. They are without co-creator Joel Surnow, though, who announced his departure at the end of the strike.

The seventh season will feature the US' first woman president and be set in Washington.