Corrie pub to become national chain?

Coronation Street's Rovers Return pub could be turned into a high street chain, say reports.

According to The Times, ITV wants to use the soap brand to launch themed venues around the country.

The soap may also team up with a business partner that owns a brewery, which would be allowed to promote its beers using the show's name.

It is calculated that the programme could earn £1 million a year from product placement.

ITV managing director Dawn Airey said: "We are absolutely looking to exploit all our brands in a far more commercial and efficient way.

"A huge amount of value lies in big ITV brands like Coronation Street and finding more creative and imaginative ways of exploiting those brands."