By RACHEL SPENCER

CORONATION Street star William Roache has given his support to campaigners in Grappenhall who are desperately trying to save their cobbled street.

The olde worlde character that the cobbles give to Grappenhall has seen camera crews from far and wide flock to the village, with epics like Sherlock Holmes being filmed there.

But an increase in the number and the weight of vehicles going through the village, coupled with an increase in rainwater, has caused the cobbles to wear down.

Campaigners including Clr Ted Lafferty and Damian Boddy, clerk to the parish council, are now calling on Warrington Borough Council to take action to preserve the cobbled street.

And after hearing about Grappenhall's plight through the GUARDIAN, the actor, who plays Ken Barlow in the TV soap, has given the cobble campaign his full backing.

"We have saved the cobbles on our street, so that proves that it can be done and we fully support what people in Grappenhall are trying to do with their campaign," he said.

"We have shown that it can be done and I hope that people in Grappenhall are able to do the same."

Clr Lafferty said he hoped that the publicity surrounding the street would make the borough council sit up and realise how important the villagers' concerns are.

He said: "Whilst we have had a light-hearted exchange involving Coronation Street and Ken Barlow regarding the cobbles, it is a serious matter and will be treated in a serious manner.

"Grappenhall village is part of our heritage and we will fight to preserve it."