Coronation Street fans will be able to watch six episodes a week from next year.

ITV’s Director of Television, Kevin Lygo, said the new schedule "will be the next exciting chapter in Corrie's story".

Britain's longest running soap drama can currently be seen on ITV on Monday and Friday at 7.30pm and 8.30pm and Wednesday at 7.30pm.

I am a life-long fan of Coronation Street and one of the first things I wanted to explore when I became Director of Television was taking the production to six episodes a week. ITV’s Director of Television, Kevin Lygo

ITV Studios Managing Director of Continuing Drama and Head of ITV in the North, John Whiston, said the decision was an "extremely exciting development" for the entire Coronation Street team.

The writers, cast and crew were told about the new schedule today.

The change is expected to create employment opportunities, and the current layout of the 7.7-acre set site in Trafford in Manchester will also be extended to facilitate the expansion in production.