ITV have confirmed that Coronation Street will be cut back from six episodes a week to just three from the end of the month in an effort to keep the soap on air for as long as possible.

Production schedules on the long-running drama have had to be adapted due to the coronavirus pandemic, with members of the cast aged 70 and over being written out of scenes following government advice on social distancing.

While filming on Corrie and fellow ITV soap Emmerdale is still ongoing, the network have taken pre-emptive action to ensure that episodes can still be shown in the event that production ceases.

Kevin Lygo, ITV's director of television, explained: "The continued transmission of both soaps is a priority for all of us at ITV and to our audiences who enjoy the shows.

"The latest health advice from the Government and Public Health England is making filming both shows a real challenge - particularly with cast and crew members who are over 70 or have underlying health conditions.

"Through a mix of changes to production and scheduling we are confident that we can keep broadcasting new episodes of both shows over the coming months.

"On the production front we are filming with fewer cast and crew and we're scaling back location shooting whilst adhering to the Government's guidelines.

"From a scheduling point of view we will reduce the planned 12 episodes a week to eight episodes a week from Monday 30 March. Emmerdale will air Monday to Friday at 7pm and Coronation Street Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7.30pm."

The move will keep the soaps on air at least until July.