DOWNTON Abbey's Sue Johnston is set to star in a new comedy about a bottom-of-the-league football team.

The Warrington-born actor is set to be reunited with the Royle Family's Craig Cash who is producing the series for Sky.

Rovers follows the family of long-suffering supporters and the useless footballers on and off the pitch.

Sue said: "I've completely fallen in love with the world created in Rovers and I can't wait to start filming. And, of course, it will be a joy to be working with Craig Cash again."

After gaining a following in front of the camera, Joe Wilkinson, from Him & Her, and David Earl, from Ricky Gervais' Derek, have teamed up to pen the show.

An air date has yet to be set for the show.