'Neighbours' to undergo major transformation

Neighbours star Alan Fletcher has revealed that the show will undergo a "major transformation" over the next few months.

The actor, who plays Karl Kennedy, has told fans to expect a new look and a brand new family joining the Aussie soap later this year.

"Neighbours is going through a major transformation at the moment. The show is gearing up to be filmed in High Definition video in coming months. This means a total revamp of sets and backdrops," Fletcher explained on his official website.

"Cast changes are on the way too. We have the sad departure of Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel), Nell Feeney (Janelle Timmins), Kyal Marsh (Boyd Hoyland), Adelaide Kane (Louise Carpenter) and Sianoa Smit-McPhee (Bree Timmins) coming up over the next few weeks. As compensation an entirely new family is arriving in Ramsay Street to bring some good old fashioned Neighbours feeling to the street."

The changes come following recent low ratings for the soap in Australia.