Kerry Howard will play a young Hyacinth Bucket in the BBC's new prequel to Keeping Up Appearances.

Young Hyacinth is one of the projects forming part of the BBC's Landmark Sitcom Season, to be broadcast this Summer.

Written by original creator Roy Clarke, the special, which is set in 1950s, will see Hyacinth take charge as the family is left by their mother.

Producers explain: "Set in the late 1950s in a crowded canal cottage, Hyacinth's desperate attempts to transform her sisters and her Dad into an altogether better class of family are not always appreciated. The sisters have their own dreams and ambitions, Violet dreams of wealth, Daisy dreams of the great outdoors and Rose dreams of film stars and boys; whilst Hyacinth dreams of the day she'll have matching china. Oh and how she wishes that her darling Daddy, currently scraping by as a part-time brush salesman with a tricycle and a drink problem, could be more like ex-Squadron Leader Cooper-Smith, for whom she works as a maid."

Kerry Howard rose to fame in BBC Three sitcom Him & Her, with other notable roles including Comedy Central sitcom Give Out Girls, her sketch show pilot Kerry and the 2009 Reggie Perrin remake. Her recent credits include starring alongside real-life brother Russell Howard in his special A Gert Lush Christmas (pictured). Aside from Young Hyacinth, Kerry Howard will also soon be seen in Witless, a new BBC Three sitcom about two women in a witness protection scheme.

Talking about taking on the lead role in Young Hyacinth, Kerry Howard says: "It is such a privilege to get this opportunity to play the part that turned Patricia Routledge into a comedy legend. I grew up watching her and never dreamed that the original writer Roy Clarke would revisit Hyacinth in her early years and explain why she is the way she is. The script is incredible and he is such a sharp writer. This is a gift of a part and I'm very humbled that the BBC have entrusted it to me. I can't wait to play her!"

Mark Addy (The Full Monty) will play Hyacinth's dad, with Tamla Kari (The Inbetweeners Movie) as Violet, Katherine Pearce (Our Girl) as Daisy and Katie Redford (Mount Pleasant) as Rose.

Also set to appear alongside Howard in the show are Tony Gardner (Fresh Meat), Debra Stephenson (Dead Ringers), Tim Downie (Toast Of London) and James Wrighton (I Live With Models).

Talking about writing the new special, Roy Clarke says: "Often, even during the elder Hyacinth's reign, I would wonder what this formidable mature lady would have been like as a young woman. Would the Hyacinth powers already be there? Well, to my delight, I've been given the chance to find out. I've been allowed to wander into her background and investigate, almost a piece of archaeology really, until there she was - Young Hyacinth in early blossom. I hope those who knew her in her prime will find as much pleasure in this re-creation of her as I have."

However, it is unlikely original star Patricia Routledge will make a cameo appearance. Speaking previously in an interview, she said of the BBC's plans to remake sitcoms: "Why are they doing this sort of thing? They must be desperate." Adding: "Nothing to do with me, let them get on with it - no sitcoms as good as that around today. Is it true they're remaking Porridge too? Remind me to switch off, please."

Young Hyacinth will be shown this summer as part of the Landmark Sitcom Season, timed to coincide with the 60th anniversary of Hancock's Half Hour debuting on television.