Coronation Street actor Bill Roache has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

Lancashire Police have confirmed that they have arrested an 81-year-old man from Wilmslow, Cheshire, this morning, on suspicion of the rape of a 15-year-old girl that took place between April and July 1967 in Haslingden, Lancashire.

He is reported to be Mr Roache - better known as Ken Barlow on the Street.

A statement from Lancashire Police said: "An 81 year old man from Wilmslow in Cheshire has this morning, Wednesday, May 1, 2013, been arrested by Lancashire Constabulary on suspicion of rape.

“The man will be interviewed at a police station in Lancashire during the course of the day.

“The offences are alleged to have been committed in Haslingden between April and July 1967 and to involve a girl aged 15 years.

“We take all allegations of sexual abuse extremely seriously and would encourage people with any information about sexual abuse, or anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, to come forward and report their concerns confident in the knowledge they will be investigated appropriately and with sensitivity.”

A spokeswoman for ITV and Coronation Street said: "Given that a police investigation is under way it would not be appropriate for us to comment."

We understand that Roache will not be seen on screen while the investigation takes place. It is understood that ITV will edit Roache out of a couple of scenes in Friday's episode of the soap .

Bill Roache - better known to millions as Ken Barlow - is the longest-serving cast member on Corrie.

He appeared in the first ever episode, broadcast on December 9, 1960 - playing the precocious young Ken, a recent graduate of Manchester University who feels restricted by his working class roots.

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He holds the record as the world's longest-serving soap actor. He collected an award from Guinness World Records in 2010 for his achievement, having joined in 1960 for the series which was expected to last for just 13 episodes.

During his six decades on the street Ken married five times, to four different women, fathering four children and adopting a daughter.

In contrast to the stability of his real-life career, on-screen Ken has taken jobs as a teacher, a journalist, a writer, a male escort, a cafe worker and a switch operator.

Off-screen, Mr Roache has been married twice and has five children.