DR WHO'S TARDIS turned up outside Cogan Primary School in Penarth last week - and pupils had an out of this world experience when he popped into their school for a quick visit.

Headteacher Ann Bowsher said: "The children couldn't believe their luck when David Tennant popped in to say a quick hello."

David Tennant and the cast of the sci-fi hit returned to Penarth to work on the filming of the new series.

The BBC have been filming series three, which goes out next year, since the summer.

Freema Agyeman, who plays medical student Martha Jones, replaces Billie Piper as Dr Who's assistant.

Freema said: "It's been nerve-wracking - but David has been brilliant in helping me to adjust on my first days on set.

"I am really looking forward to travelling through time and space with him over the next few months."

Russell T Davies, writer and executive producer, said: "We were delighted and honoured by the second series' success, and we can promise new thrills, new laughs and some terrifying new aliens.

"The Doctor and Martha are destined to meet William Shakespeare, blood sucking alien Plasmavores, The Judoon - a clan of galactic stormtroopers - and a sinister intelligence at work in 1930s New York."

The BBC is also screening a Dr Who Christmas special called The Runaway Bride, which guest stars Catherine Tate as a bride who finds her wedding day interrupted by an alien plot to destroy the earth.

The BBC also confirmed that plans are in place for series four.