Coronation Street was replaced by a repeat of Harry Hill's TV Burp on Wednesday in the wake of the Cumbrian shootings.

The soap was this week due to feature a siege involving guns, resulting in two characters losing their lives after Tony Gordon escapes from jail.

An ITV spokesman said that "in light of tragic events" last night's episode of Coronation Street was postponed.

He said the network would announce revised episode dates and times in due course.

Coronation Street was scheduled to broadcast six episodes throughout the week as the plot unfolded on screen.

Preview information released last week disclosed Gordon, played by Gray O'Brien, exacts his revenge on those he believes have wronged him.

With the help of Robbie Sloan (James Fleet), the convicted killer takes ex-wife Carla Connor (Alison King) and Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) hostage.

Former lover Maria Connor (Samia Smith) also becomes embroiled in the plot when she makes a surprise appearance at the knicker factory.

Gordon then splashes petrol around the building and sets fire to it.

The episodes took four weeks to film and used a purpose-built set.