'Neighbours' going 'back to its roots'

Neighbours is going back to its roots to concentrate on more family drama, says the series' script editor Pete McTighe.

In July 2007, the 24-year-old series launched a much-hyped revamp to curb dwindling viewing figures in Australia and move away from its sensationalised plots. Despite an initial spike of over 1 million viewers, ratings returned to an average of around 800,000 and have fluctuated ever since.

Speaking to fan site The Perfect Blend, McTighe said: "We're really taking the show back to its roots and concentrating on families.

"The Ramsay name is synonymous with the show, and when we were discussing our new family, from very early on we decided to tie them to the street in a very practical way.

"We've seen 3 or 4 blocks with the Ramsays now, and they're fantastic. And I'm not just saying that."

As for any future Ramsay/Robinson family feuds, McTighe said: "It's too early to say. We need to give these characters time to settle in."