Basil Brush was as much a part of the Seventies as loon pants, space hoppers and kipper ties.

Now the impudent fox is due to be resurrected for the 21st century - and a Brighton writing team is behind his return.

Brian Mitchell and Joseph Nixon have known each other since they went to primary school together.

Even at that early stage, they shared a love of writing and Seventies kids' television which has never left them.

Now, as the inspiration behind the comeback of Basil Brush, Brian and Joseph have managed to unite their two great passions.

Brian, 30, says the two of them were born to be the voice of Basil: "I even take my dress sense from Basil Brush."

Joseph has a similar level of devotion: "When I was a kid my dad would tell me stories about Basil when I was in bed. I loved him so much I would keep pressurising my dad to make up these stories every single night."

Joseph and Brian have been writing comedy and plays together for years. Their first collaboration was on an epic poem when they were both 13, but since then they have moved on to greater things.

With their work for the Brighton-based sketch show specialists The Ornate Johnsons, Brian and Joseph have amassed famous fans from Jerry Sadowitz to Henry Normal.

But when their manager suggested they moved from stand-up sketches to impudent puppets, they jumped at the chance.

Joseph said: "He called us and asked us if we wanted to do a series with Basil Brush, and we said yes without hesitation."

Basil's cheeky manner, loud guffaw and trademark "boom, boom" catchphrase all live on in the memory of the Seven Dials-based duo. But the new series will see some changes. Rather than sticking to the chat show format, Brian and 29-year-old Joseph are branching out into situation comedy on behalf of Entertainment Rights, the independent production company which has resurrected the fox.

In the new sitcom, set to be called Foxed, Basil will be living with a family of humans. Occasional appearances will also be made by foxy girlfriends and cousins of the puppet.

Brian says: "I suppose it will be a Paddington Bear for the new millennium but with a much more malign character who is nowhere near as innocent as Paddington. It's going to be a lot more anarchic than that too."

Basil Brush first appeared on television in 1963 and attracted audiences of 12 million.

His 'companion' is now Mike Heap, who was entrusted with the job by Basil's original trustee, Ivan Owen. Brian said: "Sadly, Ivan Owen is now too ill to control such a wily animal and he has had to pass on the burden of care."

The two are only in the early stages of writing, and it is not yet known whether the series will be shown on ITV, Channel 4 or the BBC. But Joseph and Brian are both convinced Basil will go down a treat.

As Brian says: "It has taken a long time to persuade Basil to come back onto the screen. A lot of people do seem to be excited about his return."