Disney is stepping up its local television production and distribution efforts in Europe, commissioning a new pre-school series from the UK and unveiling a new management structure as it seeks to develop its international revenues.

The US media group is set to announce that it has given the green light to a series called Jungle Junction, which was developed by Spider Eye, a small Cornish animation company. The series is understood to be the first of a number in development at Disney’s London-based European programming hub, which was set up last May.