Heroin book set for children's TV

An award-winning novel for teenagers about heroin addiction and death is to be filmed for schools' television by the same company that makes ITV's Byker Grove. Exclusive film and television rights to the controversial Carnegie Medal winner Junk - described as a junior Trainspotting - have been secured by Zenith North, the company announced yesterday.

Melvin Burgess's hard-hitting book tells the love story of two 14-year-olds as they spiral into heroin addiction and prostitution. Accepting his prize on Wednesday this week, Burgess hit out at "frothing parents and fundamentalists" who tried to restrict the subject matter of children's literature. Zenith North has already received expressions of interest from BBC Schools Drama and Channel 4, Peter Murphy, director of children's and family programming, said.