Alma's Not Normal has begun filming on location in Bolton.

First reported in August, the sitcom pilot comes from stand-up comedian and actor Sophie Willan, who writes, stars and executive produces.

Producers explain: "Set in her home town of Bolton, Sophie draws on her own unusual life experiences for Alma's Not Normal, offering a truly authentic comic voice to the pilot. It follows Boltonian wild-child, Alma Nuthall and her family of eccentric, unruly women.

"With no qualifications and a rebellious streak a mile wide, Alma decides to become an escort to support her dreams of becoming a star and leaving Bolton. Meanwhile, Alma's mother Lin battles with both her addiction to heroin and her troubled relationship with her own mother Joan with the same chaotic fervour. Having only just discovered feminism and sexual liberation, Alma's vampish Grandma Joan, must contend with her daughter suddenly moving in with her."

Announced today as joining the cast are Siobhan Finneran as mother Lin; Lorraine Ashbourne as Joan; Jayde Adams as best friend Leanne; and Willan's Still Open All Hours castmate James Baxter as Alma's ex-boyfriend, Anthony.

Nerys Evans, Creative Director of Comedy at production company Expectation, says: "It's testament to the quality of Sophie's writing that we've managed to attract such a strong cast to play alongside her. In the wonderfully skilled hands of producer Gill Isles and director Andrew Chaplin, this feels like a very special show in the making."

The pilot will be broadcast on BBC Two later this year.