The UK's Peakviewing Transatlantic has announced plans to open an animation studio in South Africa.

The Johannesburg facility will produce both 3D graphic animation and claymation features, in a move intended to bolster Peakviewing's programming capabilities.

Current production schedules aim at producing one claymation and two animated films per year, and the company is currently assembling talent and co-production partners for the division via a trade visit to Canada.

Laura Wegner, Peakviewing's new LA-based vice president for development, will be acquiring properties for production at the facility.

According to Ed Thomas, vice president - production and design, the studio's construction will cost up to $11.5m (£8m), although a date for the start of construction has yet to be set.

Peakviewing is also developing plans to open a three-stage physical production studio in South Africa.

With an office in Johannesburg, Peakviewing has a history of shooting film and television in the territory, and will start shooting Hoodlum And Son - its 13th feature to be produced in the country - in October.