Ackley Bridge returning to Channel 4

\'Ackley Bridge\' is set to return for a fourth series in 2020.

The comedy-drama will welcome back familiar faces Sunetra Sarker, Rob James-Collier, Jo Joyner and Charlie Hardwick - alongside a new names yet to be announced - with Channel 4 bosses commissioning another run set to launch next year.

Executive producer George Ormond said: "We are thrilled to be starting this new chapter in the \'Ackley Bridge\' story and we can\'t wait to introduce our new characters to the audience."

However, the show\'s bosses have planned to freshen up the popular school drama by reducing it\'s regular hour time-spot to 30 minutes, although there will be 10 episodes compared to eight in the previous season.

Channel 4\'s Rebecca Holdsworth explained: "Refreshing the format to half an hour not only reflects the viewing habits of our young audience, but gives the show a new look and feel as we welcome a brand new cast of characters to our screens."

\'Ackley Bridge\' was most recently seen on TV screens for it\'s third series in June 2019.

The series welcomed former \'Emmerdale\' star Charlie Hardwick to the cast to play director of behaviour Sue Carp, and she was delighted to have been cast in the show.

She said at the time: "I\'m absolutely over the moon to be joining \'Ackley Bridge\', I was already a fan.

"It has fantastic characters and brilliantly sharp story-telling which tackles the desires and concerns of a diverse school of young people and their community head on, in full-beam.

"It\'s funny and moving in equal measures and has a huge heart."

Filming for the new series is due to start in Halifax in March, while the show is set to air in September 2020.