BBC1 is to launch the first of its festive-themed Wallace and Gromit idents tomorrow to mark the start of the channel's Christmas programming season.

The first ident features Nick Park's famous duo making a mess of a toboggan ride.

BBC1 will have a Wallace and Gromit theme for its festive programming, with the plasticine characters featuring in 30-minute A Matter of Loaf and Death on the network on Christmas – their first BBC special for 13 years.

The network will also air the terrestrial premiere of Park's 2005 film Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

BBC1's Christmas idents, created by Wallace and Gromit producer Aardman Animations and commissioned by the BBC1 marketing team, will run until New Year's Day.

A spokesman for Aardman said: "Nick Park and all at Aardman are chuffed to bits that they were asked to produce the BBC Christmas idents. Such an honour for Aardman and Wallace and Gromit."

The head of marketing at BBC Vision, Naomi Gibney, added: "Wallace and Gromit are part of BBC1's Christmas package this year and it's great that we have been able to collaborate creatively with Aardman to give viewers an extra treat that the whole family can enjoy."

Last week the Radio Times unveiled its bumper Christmas edition featuring Wallace and Gromit on the cover.

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