SOCIAL Services chiefs have lashed out over a current controversial storyline in a popular TV soap.

They fear the `buy a child' plot in `Coronation Street' -- which regularly attracts more than 10 million viewers -- could deter potential foster carers. Like other councils, St Helens needs more people to foster children and they are worried that the storyline could put people off.

An Executive Member for Social Services, Councillor Leon McGuire said: "While the recent storyline in Coronation Street does raise issues surrounding fostering we think it could be very off-putting for potential foster carers. Characters Roy and Hayley were treated very coldly by the social workers and were told not to bother fostering until they could keep their emotions under control.

We are concerned that this could put people off fostering and would like to stress that we offer support and value our carers who do an amazing and very worthwhile job.

"Soaps tackling key issues are a vital way in which to raise awareness so we hope they will take their responsibilities very seriously".

A spokesperson for Granada Television said "This storyline is specific to the characters of Roy and Hayley. In this case it is purely the way the characters are developing. We do not believe that the storyline is off-putting to potential foster carers".