Harry Potter producer David Heyman has been trying to set up a Paddington Bear feature since 2007 and now looks like he will be able to deliver the final product by 2014.

It will be directed by Paul King, best-known for comedy series The Mighty Boosh.

With more than 35m copies of Bond”s Paddington books sold worldwide (not to mention TV adaptations), Heyman says: “Paddington Bear is a universally loved character, treasured for his optimism, his sense of fair play, and his perfect manners – and, of course, for his unintentional talent for comic chaos. Michael Bond’;s books offer such wit and wonder, and I am so delighted at this chance to bring Paddington to the big screen.”