British comic Simon Pegg is to play Scotty in the new Star Trek movie.

The Shaun of the Dead star was asked to join the crew by director JJ Abrams after the Lost creator worked with Pegg on Mission Impossible III.

The dour Scottish chief engineer Montgomery Scott was played by Canadian James Doohan in the original series.

The film, which is the 11th in the Star Trek franchise, will focus on the early lives of Captain James T Kirk and Mr Spock as they meet at the Starfleet Academy.

US actor Chris Pine is tipped to play a young Captain Kirk, while Eric Bana will play the baddie Nero.

Leonard Nimoy, the original Spock, is also expected to make a cameo appearance in the film.

Shooting starts in November and the film is set for release on Christmas Day 2008.