The BBC has announced a second series of the long-running Sunday night drama Lark Rise To Candleford.

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The series stars Julia Sawalha, Olivia Hallinan, Dawn French, Brendan Coyle, Olivia Grant, Mark Heap, Ben Miles and Liz Smith in Bill Gallagher’s adaptation of Flora Thompson’s magical memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood.

“We are delighted with our audience’s positive and warm reaction to Lark Rise To Candleford and have subsequently commissioned a second series of 12 episodes for transmission in 2009,” said Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials for BBC Drama Production.

“The talent and strength of the assembled cast and production team pay tribute to the excellence of Bill’s Gallagher’s vision and scripts.”

Set in the small hamlet of Lark Rise and the wealthier neighbouring market town, Candleford, at the end of the 19th century, the series chronicles the daily lives of farm workers, craftsmen and gentry, observing characters in loving, boisterous and competing communities of families, rivals, friends and neighbours.

Written and Executive produced by Bill Gallagher, who added: “What struck me first about Flora Thompson’s three books was how they are teeming with wonderful characters and anecdotes, story lines come tumbling off the pages thick and fast. I can’t wait to start work on the new series.”

The first episode transmitted on 13 January at 7.40pm on BBC One with viewing figures of 6.7m, peaking at 7.1m. The second episode brought an audience of 6.5m, peaking at 6.8m (slot average is 5.5m).

The second series has been recommissioned by Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction and will begin filming later this year for transmission in 2009.