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Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere inside the TardisCBBC show Blue Peter has launched a competition to design a new Tardis console that will appear in the next series of Doctor Who.
Children aged between six and 12 are invited to create the new control panel which operates the time machine.
For the purposes of the plot, designs for the hexagonal console must incorporate household objects.
The winning design, to be chosen by new Doctor Matt Smith, will appear in one episode of the sci-fi show next year.
Entries will be judged in three different age categories, with the winner of each age group getting to visit the Doctor Who set and meet the cast and crew, including the Doctor.
'Originality and creativity'
Doctor Who production designer Edward Thomas, who is also on the judging panel, advised entrants: "Don't come along with a design that's finished and too technical - it needs to have a lot of character.
"It's about being clever with what you find around the house and make sure it really feels as if the Doctor has put it together."
Children aged between six and 12 are invited to create the new control panel which operates the time machine.
For the purposes of the plot, designs for the hexagonal console must incorporate household objects.
The winning design, to be chosen by new Doctor Matt Smith, will appear in one episode of the sci-fi show next year.
Entries will be judged in three different age categories, with the winner of each age group getting to visit the Doctor Who set and meet the cast and crew, including the Doctor.
'Originality and creativity'
Doctor Who production designer Edward Thomas, who is also on the judging panel, advised entrants: "Don't come along with a design that's finished and too technical - it needs to have a lot of character.
"It's about being clever with what you find around the house and make sure it really feels as if the Doctor has put it together."
Entries must be sent in by 2 November and more details can be found on the Blue Peter website.
Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said: "This is the latest in a long line of collaborations between Blue Peter and Doctor Who.
"We know our viewers absolutely love Doctor Who and we hope to be blown away by the originality and creativity of their concepts.
"Doctor Who prides itself on surprising its viewers at every turn and who better than a child to come up with the latest design of the Tardis console," he added.
Four years ago, Blue Peter ran a competition to design a monster to feature in the sci-fi show.
The winning entry - the Abzorbaloff - created by nine-year-old William Grantham from Colchester, was played on-screen by comedian Peter Kay.
Blue Peter editor Tim Levell said: "This is the latest in a long line of collaborations between Blue Peter and Doctor Who.
"We know our viewers absolutely love Doctor Who and we hope to be blown away by the originality and creativity of their concepts.
"Doctor Who prides itself on surprising its viewers at every turn and who better than a child to come up with the latest design of the Tardis console," he added.
Four years ago, Blue Peter ran a competition to design a monster to feature in the sci-fi show.
The winning entry - the Abzorbaloff - created by nine-year-old William Grantham from Colchester, was played on-screen by comedian Peter Kay.
BBC News 07 Oct 2009.
