TYPICAL Manchester weather greeted the stars of Coronation Street at Egerton Cricket Club last night.

Cast members from the popular soap were in Bolton to play cricket against a Lancashire team in aid of Mike Watkinson's benefit year.

Kevin Kennedy (Curly Watts), Phil Middlemiss (Des Barnes) and Michael Le Vell (Kevin Webster) were among the stars on parade, ready to do battle against Lancashire cricketers including Watkinson, Neil Fairbrother and Ian Austin.

But the players were never in danger of taking to the field because of the bad weather.

Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald in the hit soap summed up the mood when he said: "We were looking forward to a good game and are disappointed that it has been washed out.

"But I will play if the game is rearranged. At least we've had a chinwag with the members of the other team.

"Next time we'll have to ask Fred Talbot to play and then at least we'll have someone to blame for the weather!"

Bolton Councillor Norman Critchley, an official for the game, said: "It's a big thing for us to have all these stars here. "In fact it's the biggest thing that's happened for years. Let's hope it isn't the last." Lancashire and England star Watkinson, aged 34, hails from Bolton and played for Westhoughton before breaking into the professional ranks.

Currently in the middle of his benefit year he explained: "There is a lot of hard work involved in making these things work. "Sportsmen's dinners, sports forums and cricket matches have been arranged and I rely on a good committee of hard working people who are involved in making this a successful year. "We have had a number events so far and there are more planned in the coming months."

The game is likely to be rearranged and spectators should retain their programme for admission on the new date.

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