Sky1 has commissioned a brand new sitcom reuniting The Royle Family stars Craig Cash and Ralf Little.

The Café has been written by Little and Michelle Terry, both of whom will appear in the show: Terry as the establishment's co-owner, Sarah, and Little as Richard, her former boyfriend. Cash will direct the six-part series as well as act as executive producer for Jellylegs Productions.

Set in a beach-front café, the show will focus on Sarah, who has recently returned to her home town of Weston-super-Mare after a number of years in London, in hope of pursuing a writing career. Now in her late twenties, she takes up a role in her family's café and is soon reunited with old school friends for whom the venue is their social hub. Richard, her childhood sweetheart, is among the regulars.

Other visitors to the café are set to include elderly couple the Dobsons, played by sitcom legends Brian Murphy (George & Mildred) and Marcia Warren (No Place Like Home), and 'Big Issue Frank' (Jack Roth).

With characters including a 'living statue' as a regular customer, The Café appears to share more than just its setting with 2007 Channel 5/Paramount sitcom Angelo's, written by Sharon Horgan (right).

Commissioned by Sky's Head of Comedy Lucy Lumsden, The Café is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% by 2014, joining surreal Sky Atlantic sitcom This Is Jinsy and panel shows such as A League Of Their Own and Wall Of Fame in the network's home-grown comedy stable.

Lumsden commented: "It's been a delight to give new writers like Ralf and Michelle the chance to shine on Sky 1HD. We look forward to welcoming you in to The Café with its amazing cast and stunning direction from the multi-talented Craig Cash."

The series will be broadcast later this year.