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The Â鶹Éç has today announced that production of Â鶹Éç One's long-running network drama Casualty will be relocated to the Cardiff area.

The move is part of the Â鶹Éç's Network Supply Strategy which aims to significantly increase network TV production from the UK nations and regions.

Â鶹Éç Cymru Wales's aim is to double the proportion of network production from Wales by 2012.

Casualty will join a growing stable of network drama produced in Wales, including the award-winning Doctor Who, which returns for a special at Easter, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood and Merlin.

Â鶹Éç Wales also produces the Â鶹Éç's longest-running TV soap Pobol y Cwm, which is broadcast on S4C.

Casualty's addition strengthens Wales's reputation as a centre of excellence for Â鶹Éç network drama production, and confirms its status as one of TV's most creative hubs outside London.

The new location for Casualty is dependent on further value for money evaluations, ensuring maximum benefit for licence payers. The decision will be announced later in the year.

It is anticipated that Casualty will start filming in Wales in 2011.

Following the announcement, Â鶹Éç Wales Controller, Menna Richards, said: "Today's announcement places Â鶹Éç Wales at the heart of Â鶹Éç drama network production. We have already established a first-class drama production base in Wales, and Casualty provides a springboard for further creative and talent development.

"We look forward to working with the cast and crew to ensure Casualty builds on its enormous success and are delighted that John Yorke, Â鶹Éç Controller, Drama Production and New Talent, will continue to lead the show. We hope that today's announcement will provide a catalyst for further growth."

Â鶹Éç Wales Head of Drama, Piers Wenger, said: "Casualty is a core part of the continuing strategy to develop Â鶹Éç Cymru Wales as a centre of creative excellence in drama, spearheaded by the success of Doctor Who.

"Having such an established and respected series made in Wales will build on the success of other Â鶹Éç Wales drama productions such as Pobol y Cwm, Merlin and Torchwood. It puts Wales firmly on the map as one the most creative production bases outside of London.

"Alongside our network drama productions, Â鶹Éç Wales is also working on some very exciting new local projects that will hit Welsh TV screens over the next 12 months such as Crash! and The Fabulous Baker Boys. Our aim is to create first-class content for Wales and across network.

"Today's announcement is further evidence of the talent, ambition and expertise that exists here in Wales."

John Yorke, Â鶹Éç Controller, Drama Production and New Talent, added: "A brand new premises for Casualty bang in one of the most vibrant production areas for drama in the UK is an incredibly exciting one, and I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Â鶹Éç Wales to ensure the long-term future of the longest-running hospital drama in the world.

"The marriage of Â鶹Éç Wales's production experience with the Casualty team is an incredibly exciting one, and will guarantee that Casualty remains one of Saturday night's favourite dramas."

Â鶹Éç Wales Communications