A Top Gear producer hopes to rival hit US sitcoms The Simpsons and Family Guy with a new grown-up animation series.  

Ian Brown, of Castle Avenue, Highams Park has teamed up with award winning animator Eoin Clarke and Epping-based website specialists Swivel to create TheBruvs.com - an online comedy based on the misadventures of a family with a dodgy past. 

Lead characters brothers Doug and Den attempt to move away from their troubled past as they settle into the Waltham Forest area. 

They are accompanied along the way by Old Dad, sister Janice and her son Jason, as well as Essex Girl Chanterelle. 

Operating on a shoestring budget, five of the episodes are currently available online, with five more being produced.  

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Mr Brown, 50, first came up with the concept a few years ago.  

He said: "This is early days for TheBruvs but we hope the people of E4 and West Essex will see the funny side and get behind the project.

"I like the idea of old-style villains looking to go straight, trying to make fresh start but struggling to keep their noses clean. 

"It is a shame that in the UK we have not come up with anything to rival The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad, South Park or Bojack Horseman. 

"The cost of animation is highly prohibitive and very time consuming. Most animated movies take around five years to produce. 

"It would be nice if a British animated series could take on these animated transatlantic giants." 

Mr Brown has previously worked with celebrities Liam Neeson, Simon Cowell, Jason Statham and the cast of Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Eastenders on the former tribute show This is Your Life.  

The TV writer and producer has worked with Jeremy Clarkson for over 20 years on his solo DVD projects and more recently Top Gear DVD specials.

To find out more, visit www.TheBruvs.com or search TheBruvsTV on Facebook.