A new version of Christmas favourite The Snowman will be shown on Channel 4 next year.

The remake of the 30-year-old animation, based on a story by Raymond Briggs who lives in Westmeston, near Burgess Hill, will use traditional techniques, many of the original creative team and will cost £2 million.

The updated version will show the Snowman, a new little boy and a snow dog flying over landmarks including the London Eye, rather than the Palace Pier and the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. The song Walking in the Air is also being replaced.

Mr Briggs said that he was barely involved with the remake but had given it his approval, after resisting the idea for many years.

It will be screened next Christmas as part of a season of programming to celebrate Channel 4's 30th anniversary in November.