BBC bosses are in talks for another series of Auf Wiedersehen Pet following the popularity of the revival of the 1980s drama.

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed "negotiations were underway" with writers Dick Clement and Ian La Frenais and the cast.

Should the details be ironed out, it will be the fourth series about the boisterous building site workers.

The first show in the current series was watched by 12 million viewers, a 47% audience share, with audiences keen to find out what had happened to the chracters after a 16-year-break.

It fared much better than its adversary, ITV's Forsyte Saga revival, and garnered good reviews.

Varied careers

The first two series of the show captured the mood of the time when they were broadcast on ITV in the 1980s.

The story of workers driven to Germany to find work on building sites was the kickstart for varied careers for the cast, which includes Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Kevin Whately and Tim Healy.

Clement and La Frenais had already found fame with The Likely Lads, Porridge and other memorable comedies.

But the success of the BBC revival surprised many and drama bosses are now said to be keen for another helping.

The current series - still being broadcast - shows the lads involved in a scam to dismantle Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge and sell it, with much of the action taking place in Arizona.