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The school gates open for a new action packed series of Waterloo Road on Ö÷²¥´óÐã One, it was announced today.

The hit drama, from Shed Productions, has been recommissioned for a fifth series.

Waterloo Road continues to delight audiences each week with fun storylines whilst also tackling the big issues of the day affecting young people.

There are massive changes ahead at Waterloo Road in the new series as it merges with a local school. The two schools are worlds apart and there are troubled times ahead as battle lines are drawn – in the playground and the staffroom.

The integration of the schools makes Rachel's (Eva Pope) position extremely difficult as she finds herself pushed to the limit professionally and personally, dealing with the new regime. And there are further problems ahead as two tribes emerge – girl gangs.

Expect the return of familiar favourites including Eva Pope, Angela Griffin, Denise Welch, Jason Done and Philip Martin Brown.

New teachers and pupils will also be introduced and full casting will be announced in due course.

Waterloo Road has been recommissioned for a fifth series by Jay Hunt, Controller, Ö÷²¥´óÐã One, and Ben Stephenson, Controller, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Drama Commissioning, and cements its place at the heart of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã One schedule.

Ben Stephenson says: "Waterloo Road consistently delivers an entertaining mix of bold characters, powerful issues and compelling stories to a mainstream audience and plays a vital role delivering younger, more diverse audiences to the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, I look forward to it returning for a fifth series later this year."

Sharon Hughff, Executive Producer for Shed Productions, said: "We're delighted with the recommission. Waterloo Road is an excellent show and I am looking forward to working with the team to produce another exciting 20 episodes."

Waterloo Road is a Shed Production for Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland. Executive produced by Sharon Hughff for Shed Productions and executive produced by Gaynor Holmes for the Ö÷²¥´óÐã, and Anne Mensah, Head of Drama, Ö÷²¥´óÐã Scotland.

MO/JP3