Australia will have its own version of popular show The Amazing Race.

Channel Seven had announced that the show is scheduled to begin production later this year.

"The US version of The Amazing Race has had a huge following on Seven and we are thrilled to be working with Disney on The Amazing Race Australia which promises to capture the excitement of the original series," Seven's Head of Production Brad Lyons said. The network has successfully purchased the international rights from Disney Media Distribution Asia Pacific.

"Audiences in Australia have shown an enormous appetite for high-quality, locally produced shows in recent years,"Disney's senior vice president Rob Gilby reasoned. "The Amazing Race: Australia is another great milestone in our long-standing relationship with Channel Seven in bringing programs that resonate with viewers here."

The reality show involves couples racing each other through destinations all over the world for the chance to win $1 million (£576,000). The Amazing Race first aired in the US in 2001 with New Zealand-born Phil Keoghan as host.