Actors Sanjeev Bhaskar and Shobna Gulati have been announced as the stars of the brand new CBeebies show, Treasure Champs.

Both are providing the voices for two comedic animated figures called Barry (Sanjeev) and Kari (Shobna).

Treasure Champs explores values such as generosity, empathy and honesty in an engaging, friendly format aimed at children aged four and over.

Each value - or ‘treasure’ - is explored using Sanjeev and Shobna’s lovable characters and heart-warming child-led films.

In each episode there is a traditional fable or a story from one of the main world religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism.

Sanjeev Bhaskar is one of the UK’s best loved actors.

Currently starring in Paddington 2, he is well known for roles in Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars At No. 42 and Unforgotten.

Shobna Gulati rose to fame as Anita in Victoria Wood’s much loved sitcom Dinnerladies, then as Sunita in Coronation Street. She is now a household name and a firm favourite with British audiences, appearing in countless stage and TV hits.

Sanjeev Bhaskar said, "It is a great pleasure to be part of Treasure Champs, which is educational but actually very warm and good fun too.

"I’ve not really done voices for this age group before, but having little kids who have now gone through this stage helped a lot."

Shobna Gulati added, “It’s been an amazing experience being involved in Treasure Champs because it’s my first animation voice-over. Children are very discerning and you want to get it right for them.”

Treasure Champs will start on CBeebies on Saturday 6 January. CBeebies has commissioned two series, each consisting of 15 x 15-minute episodes. It is made by Manchester-based independent Three Arrows Media and Executive Produced by Jon Hancock and David Hallam. Julia Bond and Anne Gilchrist are Exec Producers for the BBC.