Coronation Street legend Blanche Hunt will be given an on-screen funeral later this year.

Actress Maggie Jones, who first played the battleaxe in 1974, died last month aged 75.

‘We will be giving the character a fitting send-off,’ producer Kim Crowther tells This Morning.

‘Our characters say goodbye to the character and I think it will be touching and moving, and funny as well, and also have all the elements it should have.’

Blanche‘s absence from the soap has been explained by a holiday to Portugal.

Maggie‘s funeral was held in London last month and a memorial service will take place at Salford Cathedral on 25 February.