The BBC has announced that Dawn French will return for three new short episodes of The Vicar of Dibley next month.

The 10-minute episodes will air following weekly repeats of the classic comedy, with Geraldine Granger delivering lockdown sermons to her parishioners over Zoom.

In an announcement about the specials, the BBC revealed: "Geraldine will be helped by Hugo Horton (James Fleet) as well some of the local primary school children as the Vicar discusses all the important topics, including how it's never a good idea to let Owen Newitt cut your hair, or make home-made wine.

"The very dearly departed Alice Tinker is also still an important presence in the village, with some residents still looking for lost buttons and the arrival of decimalisation."

French said: "Back in the dog collar, back in Dibley and back on your telly at Xmas. I couldn't be happier. Bless you."

Creator Richard Curtis added: "Like every village in the country, there's been a lot happening in Dibley this year - and Dawn has got a lot to say about it."

The comedy has returned for short sketches multiple times over the years, most recently during the first coronavirus lockdown in April as part of the BBC's Big Night In telethon.