Long-serving Coronation Street extras are being pushed aside in favour of younger "background artists", claims The Sun.

Several veteran extras, including some who have worked on the soap since it began in 1960, are reportedly furious with producer Kim Crowther for contemplating giving them the axe.

One extra reportedly said: "We're really annoyed. We've been professional and loyal to the show for years but it seems it's a one-way street. The new lot are inexperienced and make the actors feel uncomfortable by asking for autographs."

A Corrie insider noted that extras in the Rovers Return should reflect pubs across the country: "We need to get the balance right otherwise the Rovers would be full of pensioners. Pubs across Britain - even local ones - just aren't like that."

Another extra dismissed the claim, saying: "If you go to a pub like that around Manchester you'll find lots of older people."