Soap cliff-hanger to boost safety

Soap stars "Maria" and "Liam" (front) loved the visit

A Lake District tourist attraction is hoping a dramatic Coronation Street storyline filmed in Cumbria will promote safety on the fells.

The two episodes will see factory boss Liam Connor fall 200ft as he tries to rescue his dog Ozzy while on holiday with fiancé Maria Sutherland.

The scenes were filmed over nine days at Honister Slate Mine near Keswick, and will be shown on Friday and Sunday.

Honister owner Mark Weir hoped the show would make visitors think about safety.

'Amazing experience'

He said: "If these episodes mean that in 2008 people think twice about safety when walking in the Lakes we will all be very pleased.

Mark Weir hopes the scenes with Ozzy the dog will promote safety

"The Lakes are a stunning place to explore and no-one likes to hear about people having accidents while they are up here on holiday.

"The officials seem to give out as many safety messages as they can but sometimes people are more inclined to be influenced by what they see in a soap storyline than anything else."

Samia Smith, who plays Maria, said: "We had an amazing experience at Honister."

Rob Collier, who plays Liam, added: "Filming in the Lakes was fantastic. We had a great time although it was very, very cold.

"The mountain rescue team was brilliant as everything was filmed as realistically as possible."