CBBC fantasy adventure gameshow Raven is back with a new star and a new format for a new generation.

The first of 15 30-minute episodes kicks off on Monday December 4 at 3.50pm on CBBC, with an installment following every weekday until the Grand Tournament final on December 22.

Aisha Toussaint, 22, takes over the mantle of Raven from original star James Mackenzie. She calls on a band of brave contenders to test their courage, strength and agility in a bid to become her one True Warrior and help her fight her nemesis, the evil sorcerer Nevar.

Already a star of BBC Scotland drama River City, Aisha loved her first foray into Children's TV.

She said: “I was a huge fan of the original show myself when I was younger, so to be cast as the new Raven was a dream come true for me. I loved every minute of filming and really enjoyed working with the kids - they were great fun and totally up for any challenge they faced. I hope both the original audience and new viewers will enjoy it.”

Original Raven James still plays a part in the new series, acting as mentor to Aisha's Raven.

The series was filmed this summer in the unspoilt wilderness of the Cairngorms National Park.

The original, which won several BAFTAs and inspired three spin-off programmes, gathered a massive cult following when it was aired between 2002-2010.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting a first look at the show since it was announced in June that it was coming back.

Executive Producer Sara Harkins, says the response to Raven's return has been overwhelming. She added: “It's been seven years since Raven was last on CBBC but its appeal has never waned - it has always inspired a passionate and loyal following.

“All the excitement of the original is still there, but with new and exciting challenges, innovative games and the enigmatic Aisha as the new Raven, we're sure it will attract a whole new army of fans.”

Show Format

The Warriors

The new series of Raven will feature four heats, with four children competing in each. In each heat, the children get their own warrior names and fight under the banner of a formidable beast - the Bears, the Wolves, the Wildcats and the Stags. There will be one winner of each heat who will then go forward to the Grand Tournament. One eventual winner will be named Raven's True Warrior.

The Games

Warriors must win as many golden treasure rings as possible by taking on a series of challenges. The warrior with the fewest rings will be eliminated at key points in the heat and, at the end of each heat, the warrior with the most rings will win a place in the final.

Games test physical strength, stamina, mental agility and resourcefulness.

In Warrior's Eye, the children must prove their archery skills. Evil sorcerer Nevar's demons have cursed the targets they must aim for and they can only reverse the villain's sorcery by hitting the bullseye to win a treasured ring.

In Loom Labyrinth, the warriors must navigate complex woven paths and manipulate a series of levers to uncover rings for their hoard.

Factfile

• Raven is filmed in the unspoilt wilderness of the Cairngorms, the UK's largest National Park at 4528 square km, an area bigger than the whole of Luxembourg.
• 'Ravenisms' are huge with fans, with gems such as "No matter how big your dreams may be, or how high your hopes, it is courage that makes them a reality". The new Raven will have plenty more nuggets of wisdom to inspire the next generation.
• More than 2,500 children from all over the UK applied to be on the show with 500 then chosen for audition in London, Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Glasgow. From there, the numbers were whittled down again to select the final 32 contestants.
• Raven's warriors come from all over the UK, living as far north as Orkney and as far south as the Isle of Wight.
• Technology not available during filming of the original Raven makes the new series cutting-edge viewing. Cameramen captured daring aerial shots with a drone and had an additional 13 GoPro action cams positioned around the games ground.