Corrie's Knox in drink-drive arrest

CORONATION STREET actress Barbara Knox has been arrested for drink-driving.

The 80-year-old - who plays the role of Rita Tanner in the ITV soap - was held on suspicion of driving under the influence at her local police station in Knutsford, Cheshire.

The veteran actress had gone there after her daughter, Maxine Ashcroft, 56, was earlier arrested for the same offence.

A spokeswoman for Cheshire Police said: "Police stopped a car in Hollow Lane, Knutsford, and a 56-year-old woman from Gloucestershire was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

"An 80-year-old woman from Knutsford arrived at Knutsford police station and was also arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

"She was bailed pending further inquiries."

The pair had been out for the afternoon and were pulled over by police as the soap star was being driven home by her daughter, according to The Sun.

Knox later confronted officers at the station, asking "Do you know who I am?", the paper said.

Ms Ashcroft was later charged with "driving when the alcohol level was above the limit".

She is due to appear at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court on April 2.

Knox is due to answer bail on April 4.

This year marks 50 years since she first appeared in the show as an exotic dancer.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said the arrest was a personal matter.

By Jennifer Cockerell, Press Association