TV stars David Walliams and Miranda Hart are aiming to foster a new generation of comedy talent with a production company to develop fresh faces and international sitcom hits.

Their new firm King Bert Productions has now attracted funding from BBC Worldwide, the corporation's commercial arm, in exchange for global distribution rights.

Walliams and Hart - together with TV producer Jo Sargent - are keen for their company to work with "fledgling" writers and performers, in addition to established names.

The trio have already been commissioned to bring Walliams's bestselling book The Boy In The Dress to the screen for BBC1 later this year, as well as a second series of their show Big School. They also working on sitcoms with Channel 4.

Walliams said: "We want to develop our own personal projects, and use our expertise to find and nurture new talent."

Helen Jackson, managing director of content at BBC Worldwide said: "BBC Worldwide is committed to supporting established, and nurturing new British talent both in front of and behind the camera, and with David, Miranda and Jo fully committed to achieving this goal too, we're in great company."