IN for a penny, in for a pound...

Burnley’s battle of the bargains will be televised as Pound Shop Wars returns to BBC One’s primetime line-up.

The new series also signals the return of charismatic East Lancastrian Ian Gilbert – known as ‘the Grafter with Laughter’.

Ian, deputy manager at Poundworld’s Burnley store in Charter Walk Shopping Centre, made a name for himself for a cheerful disposition and a super-human work ethic.

Episode three, on August 26, sees Ian stepping up to the plate as acting manager as the stores go in search of the next lucrative crazes and million-pound deals with the likes of Disney.

But in Burnley there is added spice as Poundworld’s store manager Geoff Heathcote and Gilbert have a rival 99p Stores right next door.

Ian, who has worked at the store since it opened in August 2012, said: “Filming the new series was amazing and a really fun project to work on.

“The feedback we’ve had from it has been so positive – we’ve all been watching the new trailer and we can’t wait for the new series to start.

“The only thing I didn’t enjoy was having to do loads of retakes – I like to keep moving.”

The series also heads behind the scenes at head office, with Poundworld boss Chris Edwards’ plans for expansion as his 87-year-old mum Alice tries to keep up with the latest technology.

Mr Edwards said: “We’ve had some truly dramatic moments over this last year and the cameras have been around to catch them all.”

When the first series was aired last year Burnley’s then-MP Gordon Birtwistle claimed it showed the town in a bad light - with narrator Caroline Aherne laughing during the launch of a £1 bra - which was dubbed a ‘breast-seller’ by Gilbert.

Pound Shop Wars’ eight-episode second series begins on Wednesday, August 12 at 7.30pm on BBC One.