The Vicar of Dibley is to join the growing band of aspiring internet entrepreneurs. Comedian Dawn French, who plays the cleric in the BBC television series, is planning an online expansion of her oversized clothing company, Sixteen47.

Ms French and her business partner, designer Helen Teague, are in talks with PR agency Matthew Freud Communications about setting up a new interactive website which would enable women sized 16-48 to "try on" and buy clothes online.

Mr Freud is one of the founders of online toy-seller Toyzone, due to float for about £250m this year.

The Sixteen47 site is likely to focus initially on the French & Teague designer line launched last year, which sells through the British Designer Collections at Liberty in Regent Street in London. A cheaper range featured in Littlewood's catalogue and a medium-priced line sold at Sixteen47's London shop are likely to be included.

Sixteen47 was set up in 1991, inspired by the fact that manufacturers have historically neglected the 47% of women sized 16 or over.