THE team behind children's cartoon Calling Oscar India have introduced a new character whose first job is teaching kids how to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Stourbridge entrepreneur James Driscoll, known as Jim, who has teamed up with artist Rob Lee to create cartoon characters PC Oscar Harrison and PC India Summers, have unveiled the show's new town radio station Birchester FM and its resident DJ Cans Collins.

Jim, of The Shoe People fame, and Rob, co-creator of Fireman Sam, plan to use the radio station, named after the town in which it is based, for fun filled broadcasts and keep safe warnings for children ranging from messages about road safety to stranger danger.

The first of the broadcasts featuring Cans Collins relates to the coronavirus pandemic and features a strong message in the form of a catchy song entitled Wash Your Hands which teaches children how to wash their hands.

Award-winning BBC Hereford and Worcester radio presenter Malcolm Boydon voices the new character and Jim said: “Malcolm has done a fantastic job for which we are extremely grateful. Cans is fast becoming a star, soon to be a kids' cool hero."

Stourbridge based studio Create A Scene is behind the pre and postproduction of the series, including the music and voices, and owner Lee Garrett is the voice of Oscar and has recorded the song which features a 20-second long verse encouraging youngsters to wash their hands at least four times a day.

Jim said Toonz Media Group, India, producers of the cartoon series, have agreed to help digitally distribute Wash Your Hands worldwide and Jaya Kumar, CEO or the group, said: “I am delighted to be involved and to be able assist Jim, Rob and Lee with this very important campaign. This message to all our children deals with the most serious health crisis of our time and we are here to help."