Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry are to play neighbours in a BBC One comedy.

The one-off, hour-long Christmas special will see the pair thrown together as contrasting neighbours Andrew Bennett and Dev D'Cruz, who end up "driving across the country to pick up the one toy that will make a little girl's Christmas dreams come true".

Witless writers Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf have penned the comedy, and will also act as executive producers through their new company, Mondo Deluxe.

Ben Palmer, whose previous credits include Man Up, The Inbetweeners and Back, will direct. Filming is due to begin later this month. The programme is likely to be broadcast on Christmas Eve.

The BBC explains: "It's Christmas Eve and Andrew has somehow failed to buy the one present his six-year-old daughter really wants - Sparklehoof the Unicorn Princess. Unfortunately, it also happens to be the must-have toy of the season, and he can't track one down in London for love nor money. Step forward his irritating, over-friendly neighbour Dev, who reveals he's managed to track down the last one in the whole of the UK. The only problem? It's 300 miles away, up in Carlisle. And it's click and collect on Dev's credit card."

They tease: "Will they get there before the shops shut for the festive season? Can they make it back in time for Christmas? And will they manage to avoid driving each other crazy along the way? For Andrew, it's a nerve-fraying nightmare; for Dev, it's the best road-trip of his life."

Stephen Merchant says: "Every year, my family watch the big Christmas TV specials and my dad falls asleep half way through. This year, I'm very excited to be starring in a big Christmas TV special that my dad can fall asleep half way through."

Asim Chaudhry adds: "I've been a huge fan of Stephen's work for many years so it's a dream to be working with him! I'm also over the moon about the fact that my ten year old sister can finally watch something I'm in that's family friendly and wholesome, lol."

Shane Allen, Controller of BBC Comedy Commissioning, says: "Stephen and Asim are absolutely knockout together in a script bursting with comic incident, hilarity and heart. It's a family comedy treat for your Christmas stocking."

Executive producer Chris Sussman, BBC Studios' Head of Comedy, says: "We're thrilled to have Stephen back working with the BBC again, and teaming him up with the brilliant Asim is the best Christmas present we could have asked for. Thanks Santa!"

Joe Tucker and Lloyd Woolf explain: "In our first outing as Mondo Deluxe Productions we're delighted to be partnering with BBC Studios - and to have Stephen and Asim on board is an absolute dream! Working for a good chunk of the year on what we hope will be a real festive treat has been a joy (not to mention a genuine insight into what it must be like to be an elf)."