BBC bosses are planning a new series of corner shop sitcom Open All Hours after being impressed with the Christmas special, according to reports.

Sir David Jason has revived his character Granville and reunited with actress Lynda Baron, who played unlikely sex symbol nurse Gladys Emmanuel, for the half-hour Christmas special.

The original show, which starred Sir David with late comic Ronnie Barker as stammering Albert Arkwright, ran from 1973 to 1985.

Producer Gareth Edwards confirmed plans for a series and told the newspaper there was a lot of "enthusiasm and love" for the show.

He said: "I can't say too much about the plot, but it does involve anchovy paste - that's all I'm saying."

In the original show, Sir David played the put-upon helper and delivery boy who was referred to as the ''young lad'', despite first playing the role when he was 30.

Viewers saw irascible Arkwright forever trying to woo nurse Gladys whenever she popped into the shop.