Street-wise politicians join soap opera outcry

The imprisonment of a 40-year-old housewife has led to a national outcry with even the Prime Minister and the leader of the opposition calling for a review of her trial.

However, outrage over the 18-month jail sentence meted out to Deirdre Rachid for credit-card fraud is based not on a real-life court case but on something conjured up by a soap opera's scriptwriters.

It is just the latest ploy by Granada Television to win back ratings for the long-running Coronation Street.

British tabloids have been running 'Free Deirdre' campaigns and MPs have spoken out in her defence since writers decided to jail the popular screen character.

Coronation Street has been running for 38 years, with stories about working class northern folk. Faced with rival soaps, including the BBC's EastEnders, it has been battling increasing competition in the ratings league.

Granada's move seems to have succeeded, for the show's viewers now number 18 million, up from 12 million just 18 months ago.