High Hopes, a sitcom described as "one of Wales's best-loved comedies", is to return for a new special.

The show, which focuses on the residents living in a village in the South Wales Valleys, ran on BBC One Wales for six series between 1999 and 2008.

The programme, set in the fictional village of Cwm Pen-Ol and focusing on the crooked Hepplewhite household, featured a cast including Robert Blythe (pictured), Margaret John, Steven Meo, Keiron Self and Di Botcher.

The BBC confirmed today that High Hopes will return to screens in 2015 for a one-off special. The 60 minute episode has been written by Boyd Clack and Kirsten Jones.

Margaret John, who played the widowed Elsie Hepplewhite in the show, died in 2011; however Blythe will resume his role as Elsie's entrepreneurial son Fagin.

Filming will be overseen by Gareth Gwenlan, the award-winning Producer and Director best known for his work on shows such as The Fall And Rise Of Reginald Perrin and Only Fools And Horses.

Gwenlan says: "It's a real pleasure to come back to BBC Wales to work on the new High Hopes. The comedy's always had a loyal and enthusiastic following and this special return promises to be a real treat for fans.

"Of course there'll be all sorts of scrapes in store for Fagin Hepplewhite and his motley crew - as well as a few surprises. Fans have been patiently waiting for this return - so it's an early Christmas gift from us, knowing they won't have to wait much longer."

The new episode of High Hopes will be broadcast in March 2015 as part of the forthcoming BBC Wales Real Valleys Season.