Caroline Aherne writes new sitcom

Caroline Aherne is writinga new sitcom.

The 'Royle Family' creator has teamed up with Jeff Pop to pen 'The Security Men', a four-part series following security guards working the night shift in a Manchester shopping centre.

ITV's director of entertainment and comedy Elaine Bedell said: "We're absolutely delighted to be working with Caroline and Jeff - two writers at the top of their game. I believe together they have created some of the best comedy scripts for television. Combined with the talent and wit of our cast, The Security Men is a very fresh and exciting project for ITV."

Caroline is now expected to appear in the programme, which will star 'Ashes to Ashes' actor Dean Andrews, 'Take Me Out' host Paddy McGuinnes, Peter Wright and Bobby Ball.

A pilot of the show has been filmed and the rest of the series will be shot this summer, with the series expected to air on ITV next year.

The first episode follows the guards' plans to skip work and switch off the security alarm to watch the boxing in an electronics store.

However, when they turn the alarm back on, they discover a jewellery store has been robbed.