The BBC is resurrecting a small-screen Blackpool favourite for a one-off special.

Ripley Holden, last seen losing his wife and dreams of a casino empire at the end of the hit 2004 BBC series, Blackpool, will return in a one-off drama this month called Viva Blackpool.

Like the original series Viva Blackpool was filmed largely on location in the resort and follows Ripley running Blackpool's first Vegas-style Chapel of Love - which locals may recognise as the central car park toilet block.

"Viva Blackpool takes all the elements that we loved about Blackpool: singing, dancing, comedy and intrigue but also moves it on a peg," said producer, Sally Strokes.

"Ripley is not the kind of man to stay still, and having licked his wounds from his marriage break-up, we find him in his new world: Las Vegas-style wedding chapels.

"Ever the dreamer, he's got big ideas and his plan of UK and then worldwide domination is just around the corner.

"We were so delighted that David Morrissey wanted to come back as Ripley one more time.

"He's not a character you forget in a hurry and Viva Blackpool takes him to new highs and lows as he falls for a woman who's every bit his match."

As well as Morrissey, last seen being seduced by Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct 2, Georgina Taylor returns as his daughter Shyanne.

New stars include Keith Allen and Eddie Large, who plays Blackpool's best Eddie Large impersonator.' Producers say the plot will include a bizarre chase for the original World Cup - the Jules Rimet Trophy.

Like the previous series, which was a surprise hit in the US where it won a Golden Globe nomination, the show is written by Peter Bowker.

"Pete's writing continues Ripley's story in a fantastically fun and unexpected way...and his flawed and charismatic characters keep the story and the twists and turns coming," said Sally.