Excited soap fans have been spotting Coronation Street stars on the streets of Whitehaven since filming began in the town.

Corrie villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, and his wife Eileen, portrayed by Sue Cleaver, are shooting dramatic scenes on the town's harbourside.

Film crews worked through the night on Wednesday, with filming expected to continue tonight and Friday morning.

Crowds have gathered to watch filming take place and many keen Weatherfield fans got themselves a snap with the two stars.

Angela Parker took a photo of Phelan with her daughter Tilli Parker, nine, and her niece Macy McFarlane, 13, when they met him at Bransty on Monday. She said he was a "lovely guy".

Sonny Jackson, nine, and his brother Stanley, three, also met Phelan in Bransty.

"He was lovely and took time out from filming to explain about the camera angles and different shots," said Sonny.

While Will Tillotson, who allowed the crew to film on his boat on Tuesday, said "everyone was very friendly".

"It's a long time since I've been on a film or TV set. I did extra work 30 years ago but it was just a bit of fun and some easy money," he said.

"It reminds you how much standing around there is and the amount of time it takes to film a short period of TV.

"Everyone there is needed and it's a very positive atmosphere."

Kim White said Phelan was "really down to earth in real life".

The episodes are expected to air at the end of March.

An ITV spokesman said: "Whitehaven proved to be perfect for what the director required and everyone was hugely helpful in making the planning and organisation of filming run smoothly."

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