'Neighbours' star plays down 'teen focus'

Neighbours actress Janet Andrewartha has responded to claims that the soap is becoming too teen-centred.

Some fans of the long-running show have accused producers of neglecting Ramsay Street's older residents following a recent run of plotlines focusing on the teen gang.

However, Andrewartha - who plays Lyn Scully on the programme - confirmed that she expects the storylines to balance out eventually because the drama's team likes to give all characters a fair share of the spotlight.

Speaking to Holy Soap, she explained: "From within it, it's difficult for me to see what the balance is. It's only when I watch it I have noticed some of the kids featuring at times, but it seems to go in waves.

"You'll get the teenagers very big for a while, then a wave of middle group - the ones in their early 30s and late 20s - and then it's a bit more focused on older people, of which there's really only a handful of us anyway.

"At its best it works when we're integrated. When it's a family show, with neighbours and families, that's where it works at its optimum."

Andrewartha returned to Neighbours last year following a break from Ramsay Street.