The BBC Asian Network today unveiled details of its much anticipated Asian radio soap. It will follow the lives of young Asians living in a Midlands city and offer a fresh, fast-moving and topical portrayal of modern Asian life. It is likely that some of the issues tackled will later be picked up in the Sonia Deol show.

The radio drama has been titled Silver Street and will start May 24th. Asian Network has committed more than £1 million to the radio project making it the largest of its kind. It is also the first time ever a radio soap has been developed by and for the British Asian community.

The cast features a mixture of rising stars and experienced faces including film, stage and television actor Jetinder Summan; actresses Hema Mangoo (pictured) and Bharti Patel; long-term regular on The Bill, Clive Wedderburn; young stage actor Dharmesh Patel (pictured); and Ashvin-Kumar Joshi who recently appeared in the film Triads, Yardies, and Onion Bhajees.

Vijay Sharma, Head of The Asian Network, said: "This is great news for The Asian Network as we expect Silver Street to become a key part of how we explore the lives and concerns of Asians across the country."

The ambitious project is created by British Asian writers and producers who now form a new team in BBC Radio Drama.

Asian Network says the storylines will tackle the issues and challenges facing the British Asian community in a fresh and entertaining way. Property developers, club promoters, a potential Asian football star and families with hopes, ambitions and secrets feature amongst the drama's characters. Their stories are played out against the backdrop of urban Britain - the Municipal Park, community centre and restaurants - with a strong soundtrack, featuring newly commissioned music from prominent Asian artists Shri (of Badmarsh & Shri) and Niraj Chag.

Silver Street will be broadcast in daily ten-minute episodes, Monday to Friday. There will be a repeated omnibus at the weekend. The show will air twice a day, once during Sonia Deol's morning talk show and then in Ray Khan's drivetime show.

For more information contact Dimple Poojara at BBC Asian Network publicity: 020 8225 6373 / dimple.poojara@bbc.co.uk.