Filming starts on The Dumping Ground

CBBC returns to The Dumping Ground care home for children but this time without its long-standing star Dani Harmer as Tracy Beaker. The new drama will be continue to be based in Elm Tree House, the care home from Dame Jacqueline Wilson's famous books.

Life continues at The Dumping Ground in a new spin-off series for many of the regular cast from Tracy Beaker Returns, who are back in Newcastle filming the new series from today.

Amongst those returning are Jessie Williams as Lily, Kia Pegg (from the Nottingham Television Workshop) as Jody,  Jessica Revell (represented by Robert Kelly Associates) as Elektra, Joe Maw (represented by PHA) as Johnny, Amy Leigh Hickman (represented by Mark Jermin Management), Mia Sasha Mckenna-Bruce (represented by Robert Kelly Associates) as Tee,  Miles Butler-Houghton (represented by Robert Kelly Associates) as Tyler, Daniel Pearson (represented by Kreative Talent) as Rick, and Noah Marullo (SRA Agency as Gus.

Long-suffering Connor Byrne returns as Mike and Kay Purcell as Gina, along with some new faces still to be revealed.

Gina Cronk, the show's executive producer, said: "It's very exciting to be opening a new chapter in the history of the Dumping Ground. The drama, fun and excitement that the audience loved from Tracy Beaker will be back!"

The Dumping Ground will feature Nick Sharratt's illustrations alongside the live action, just like the Tracy Beaker series.

Dani Harmer is currently in Northern Ireland filming her new series for CBBC, Dani's Castle.