Matt Smith is the youngest actor to take on the role

The new Doctor Who will be introduced to fans across the UK later this month as a tour gets under way showcasing the first episode of the upcoming series.

The 11th doctor, Matt Smith, and his companion, Karen Gillan, will travel around the UK on a tour bus as part of a BBC Outreach programme.

The tour will target hard-to-reach communities relatively underserved by the BBC.

The locations are Belfast, Inverness, Sunderland, Salford and Northampton.

The first stop is Belfast on 29 March, with the tour winding up in Salford on 31 March.

3D trailer

Each location will also host a regional premiere of episode one, The Eleventh Hour, for local children.

"This is a great opportunity for the new doctor and his companion to interface directly with the people who matter most to Doctor Who: the fans," said Piers Wenger, executive producer and head of drama at BBC Wales.

Following the tour, the BBC will also hold events on big screens for Doctor Who fans in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Plymouth and Swansea.

Fans will also be shown a 3D Doctor Who trailer.

The new series will start on BBC One at Easter.