Maureen Lipman and David Neilson have been pictured returning to Coronation Street filming for the first time since March.

Production on the soap came to a grinding halt as the UK entered coronavirus lockdown but filming resumed in June under strict new health and safety guidelines.

Cast members aged 70 or over, as well as those with existing health concerns, were initially kept away from the set for their own protection but pictures published in The Mirror show Lipman and Neilson returning to the soap's studios in Manchester.

At the age of 71, Neilson - aka Roy Cropper - is just past the initial 70-year age barrier, while 74-year-old Lipman, who plays Evelyn Plummer, has made no secret of her desire to return to work and has appeared on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox during her downtime.

Other cast members including Bill Roache (Ken Barlow), Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts) and Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan) have yet to return but are expected back next month.