Image caption Brand was seen earlier this year in Get Him to the Greek

Comedian turned actor Russell Brand is to star in a film version of the BBC's 1970s children's show Rentaghost, it has been reported.

Brand will play Fred Mumford, a ghost who runs an employment agency for fellow spooks, according to US film website Deadline.

Warner Brothers has acquired the show's rights and is developing it into a comedy in the style of Tim Burton's 1988 film Beetlejuice, the site added.

Rentaghost ran from 1976 to 1984.

It starred Michael Staniforth as jester Timothy Claypole, Molly Weir as "Hazel the McWitch" and Sue Nicholls as Nadia Popov, a ghost who was allergic to flowers.

In 2008, it was reported that production company RDF had obtained the rights to the classic children's show.

Image caption The cult children's show ran for nine series between 1976 and 1984

RDF, producers of Channel 4's Wife Swap, were said to be developing a remake of the series, though no further announcement followed.

The film will be produced by Kevin McCormick, who recently worked with Brand on a movie remake of 1981 comedy Arthur.

Brand, seen earlier this year in Get Him to the Greek, married singer Katy Perry in India in October.

A call made to his spokesman concerning the Rentaghost remake was not immediately returned.