Dene Films television production department has been has been named by the BBC as one of 25 successful production companies from around the UK to have gained a place on its XM25 creative network initiative.

Now in its second year, XM25 is part of a package of measures initiated by the BBC to help sustain a strong and vibrant production sector outside London. The scheme aims to give independent producers in-depth access to BBC Factual and Entertainment commissioning to help them develop network ideas and relationships.

Dene Films producer Claire Storey Lambert will take part in a series of intensive sessions and networking opportunities with senior BBC commissioners and executives from other BBC departments including multiplatform, scheduling and marketing. The first session will be held in London in November with subsequent sessions over the coming year.

BBC Independents Executive Krishan Arora says: "I am delighted with the line-up; we were looking for innovative and creative ideas as well as sound business acumen and we found it in the companies taking part.