'The Street' to end after current series

BBC One's award-winning drama The Street will not return for a fourth series, show creator Jimmy McGovern has announced.

The scriptwriter told Radio 4 that the decision is due to cutbacks at ITV Studios in Manchester, where the acclaimed programme was filmed.

"It's finished now because ITV have closed down that drama unit," McGovern explained. "I am sure that's why Michael Grade left - because it was a content-led revival, he said, and they have closed down the producers of the best content."

On the possibility of recruiting another producer for the drama, he insisted: "I wouldn't want to - it belonged [at ITV Studios]. All the people have gone. You live and breathe with people, you walk into busy rooms and see people working hard - the casting, the make up, the wardrobe, even the receptionists - and the next minute they are all gone.

"It's so sad - one of the best dramas ITV has ever made and it's gone."

The Street's third series launched last night with an episode starring Bob Hoskins and Frances Barber, which attracted 5 million viewers.

A BBC spokeswoman told The Guardian: "This is a decision Jimmy McGovern has taken as a result of recent changes at Granada. We respect that decision and we are currently in talks with him about future developments."