ITV's Scott & Bailey back for fourth series

TV police duo Scott & Bailey, played by Suranne Jones (left) and Lesley Sharp (right) (PA)

Female TV police duo Scott & Bailey are coming back for a fourth series.

Suranne Jones and Lesley Sharp are returning to their roles as the crime-fighting pair and Amelia Bullmore is back as their boss and has written four of the scripts.

Executive producer Nicola Shindler said she is "thrilled" at the drama's return to ITV.

She said: "It's rewarding to think the public have become so familiar with the characters and taken them to heart. With this new series, we have the chance to explore great story ideas and continue developing those characters."

The channel has also announced another Manchester-based cop show called Prey, starring John Simm as a policeman who goes on the run accused of a crime he did not commit.

Filming starts in October.

PA