Two new kids for 'Coronation Street'

Coronation Street producers have cast two young and aspiring actors as Sophie Webster's school friends.

Manchester-born Lucien Laviscount, 15, and Wigan-based Sacha Parkinson, 16 will play the roles of Ben and Sian respectively, both schoolmates of Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent).

The character of Ben is the captain of the school swimming team, who soon takes a shine to the youngest Webster child, while Sian is one of Sophie's best friends.

A Corrie insider told the Daily Star: "Brooke is an amazing actress and the introduction of two characters her own age will give the writers free rein to come up with some fantastic plots for her.

"Being so young means there’s a limit to what Sophie can get up to - but now she has her own gang there's more scope for juicier storylines. It's great for Brooke, too, because she knows both Lucien and Sacha from her college and acting classes."

They added: "It will give her an added boost to have her mates around her."

Earlier this month, it was reported that Corrie bosses were on the lookout for an actor to play a love interest for Sophie to 'cash in' on Vincent's acting abilities.

Both new additions began filming with the Manchester-based soap today and will first appear on screen in January.