THE adventures of a beret-clad dog and his faithful sidekick will be brought to life by famous voices — including Rawtenstall’s Jane Horrocks.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress is among the stars who will be voicing characters for new animated series Claude, based on Alex T Smith’s best-selling books.

Claude follows the humorous adventures of the dog and Sir Bobblysock, in the seaside resort of Pawhaven.

EastEnders star Shane Richie has signed up to voice ‘lovable geezer and trader Denzel Pedal’ in the children’s TV show, alongside Four Weddings and a Funeral actor Simon Callow, Dinnerladies actress Anne Reid, Hi-de-Hi’s Su Pollard, Man About the House actor Brian Murphy, EastEnders’ Tameka Empson and Bhasker Patel, from Emmerdale.

Writer Alex T Smith said: “It’s a nervous moment, as an author, hearing the voices of characters who have lived in your head for over a decade but my every expectation has been surpassed.”

Shane, 53, who recently denied that he turned down an offer to return to EastEnders as Alfie Moon, said: “With such a wonderful cast involved in Claude, it was an honour to be asked to join the project.”

He joked: “I’d love to live in Pawhaven — it’s like Walford — only with a constant rainbow over it.”

Anne, who also appeared in Coronation Street, said of voicing Dame Turret: “I loved it. I vaguely based my character on a very domineering French teacher at school who told me I’d never make it as an actress.”

The role is the latest for Jane, who attended Balladen Primary School in Rawtenstall.

Born in Rawtenstall in 1964, she came to national prominence in the 1998 stage show The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Her strong Lancashire accent remains an essential part of her identity and will no doubt delight young fans in Claude, which launches on Disney Junior this summer.