Where The Heart Is returns to TV this weekend with its familiar Colne Valley backdrop. KATIE CAMPLING reports.

HIT drama Where The Heart Is returns to our TV screens this weekend.

The show, set around the lives of residents in fictional Skelthwaite, is back for its eighth series on ITV1.

And it will mean more exposure for Slaithwaite and Marsden, as the series is filmed mainly in the Colne Valley.

Viewers are in for an action packed series as they follow events in the lives of nurses Anna Kirkwall (Lesley Dunlop), Beth Beresford (ex-Hollyoaks actress Kerrie Taylor) and Sally Boothe (former Emmerdale star Samantha Giles).

Anna and secret lover David (Phil Middlemiss) try to hide their growing romance from friends and face tragedy when Anna's son Luke is seriously injured.

Meanwhile, Sally's marriage to husband Billy hits the rocks over financial worries, a vasectomy debate and the unwanted attentions of one of Sally's patients.

Pregnant Beth is adjusting to married life with Tom and preparing for motherhood.

But is will not be an easy ride, as she faces maternal panics and several life threatening situations.

But doom and gloom never lasts in Skelthwaite and viewers will be treated to a fair share of fun and laughter.

This series also sees visits from some special guest stars - and there seems to be a Coronation Street exodus.

Brian Capron - aka Corrie killer Richard Hillman - will feature in the full series as hard-nosed businessman Ozias Harding.

Former Corrie actress Maureen Lipman will appear as fading cabaret star Stella, while Thelma Barlow, the former Huddersfield actress who played mild-mannered Mavis in the hit soap, will be seen in Where The Heart Is as a pensioner with a dark secret.

But Britain's other favourite soap, Eastenders, has not been forgotten.

Ex-Eastenders smooth operator Martin Kemp will appear as a badly-scarred accident victim who takes a shine to Sally.