Corrie star Samia finds body in van

Coronation Street's Samia Smith found a body in the back of a van, the ITV1 soap has confirmed.

The heavily-pregnant actress, who plays hairdresser Maria Connor in the show, was with her property developer husband Matthew Smith when they made the find in Sale, Greater Manchester, on Sunday.

Police are now awaiting the results of toxicology tests on the body.

The couple were alerted by a dog barking inside the red Vauxhall Combi van and are understood to have looked inside the back window and spotted a man's body.

The pair, who were thought to have been visiting the actress's family in Sale, then dialled 999.

Police closed the road and sealed off the van for forensic tests and the dog was taken away.

A press officer for Coronation Street said: "I can confirm they were there when the body was discovered but they cannot discuss it any further as it is a police matter."

A Greater Manchester Police press officer said: "Shortly after 12 p.m. on Sunday, police were called to the junction of Hunston Road and Washway Road, following a report of a body being found.

"Officers attended the scene and found the body of 26-year-old man in the back of a Vauxhall Combi. Police inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the man's death are under way."