Blue Peter teams up with MI5 to find Britain's spy kids

The British domestic intelligence agency's HQ opens its doors to film crews for the first time

(ALAMY)

Beloved BBC children’s programme Blue Peter is on a not-very-secret mission from MI5 to find the next generation of spies.

Project Petra will put young viewers through their paces in a rigorous selection procedure with mental and physical challenges to rival James Bond.

Three children aged between eight and 14 will be taken for a tour of MI5's HQ in London, Thames House, and their visit will be filmed by the CBBC show - the first time TV cameras have been allowed in to the top secret building.

Kids can apply through the Blue Peter website and eight will be chosen to attend a "spy school" weekend where they will be tested on crucial spying skills.

The best potential MI5 agents will be taken to the imposing London head office of the British domestic intelligence agency, the exterior of which has featured in several Bond films including The World Is Not Enough and Skyfall.

Anthony Horowitz (Rex Features)

Bestselling author Anthony Horowitz, who has written the Alex Rider series of books about a teenage agent, is on the selection panel to find CBBC Intelligence Officers.

Horowitz - also the writer of ITV's soon-to-end series Foyle's War about the secret service - said "Children are fascinated by the world of spies and secret intelligence and so, for that matter, am I. I'm really thrilled to have been invited to join this top secret panel, it's going to be a real adventure."

The contest, named after one of the show's early pets, will be launched on tonight's edition of Blue Peter with application forms on the website.

Programme editor Ewan Vinnicombe said: "Project Petra is one of the most exciting opportunities Blue Peter has ever given its audience.

"We're always looking for new ways to help kids understand the world around them and join in with our content and this is a brilliant example of how we can do this on the show, both for the kids taking part and the audience watching on TV and online."

CBBC controller Cheryl Taylor said: "We're aware that children are fascinated by the mysterious world of intelligence and we're thrilled to be in a position to feed their passion for intrigue and adventure with this unique proposition.

"With MI5 and Anthony Horowitz on board we know they will be awestruck by the expert credentials of our partners in this once in a lifetime CBBC opportunity."

Additional reporting by PA