CORONATION Street star Maggie Jones, who plays battle-axe Blanche Hunt, is on the road to recovery following emergency surgery, an ITV spokesman has said.

An improvement in the actress's condition was first announced last week and she is now said to be `continuing in the same direction'.

Although the much-loved Corrie veteran remains in Salford's Hope Hospital, she was last week taken off a ventilator that was helping her to breathe.

The 75-year-old was rushed to hospital nine days ago for a major operation. Fans of the star have posted get-well messages on the Coronation Street website.