Shoppers in Ipswich were left in shock after being asked by an elderly woman for help in her bid to steal from a discount store in the town.

But shoppers at Yippee! It’s 99p, in Carr Street, were relieved when it was revealed that popular prankster Dom Joly was filming the proceedings for his new

show – and they were all in the act.

Joly, known for shows including Trigger Happy TV, was directing a “stealing gran” sketch, which will soon be airing on ITV.

Dennis Davis, managing director of the shop, said: “They had her with an old lady’s shopping trolley and she was down one of the aisles and asking people to give her a hand with her shopping.

“She started filling up her trolley. Some people were helping and walking off. One girl came up to the counter and said the old lady was encouraging a boy to put something in her bag, she’s getting him to steal stuff for her.”

Joly remained at the back of the shop during the filming.

The sketch is expected to form part of the second series of hidden camera show Fool Britannia, which first aired in September last year.