Corrie star finds dead body

Samia Smith has found a dead body in the back of a van.

The 'Coronation Street' actress - who plays hairdresser Maria Connor in the ITV soap - alerted police when she and husband Matthew Smith discovered the 26-year-old man in Sale, Greater Manchester, yesterday afternoon.

The couple - whose first baby is due next month - had gone to investigate barking coming from inside the vehicle and saw the body through the back window of the red van.

They immediately dialled 999 and were questioned as part of the investigation.

Neighbours said the van had been parked on the all weekend and it is understood there were no injuries on the man's body.

A 'Coronation Street' spokeswoman confirmed Samia had made the discovery, but said it was "a police matter".

A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman added: "Inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the man's death are under way.

"His family are in the process of being informed."