Coronation Street Star Knox Hires 'Mr Loophole'

Coronation Street actress Barbara Knox has hired a lawyer known as 'Mr Loophole' after being charged with drink driving.

The 80-year-old, who plays Rita Tanner in the soap, pleaded not guilty at Macclesfield Magistrates' Court.

She was joined by solicitor Nick Freeman at the hearing where she was granted bail until a trial set for July 23.

Mr Freeman has become a well-known defence solicitor, having represented a number of high profile names.

Knox was charged following an incident in Knutsford, Cheshire, on March 10.

She was said to have been a passenger in a Jaguar vehicle driven by her daughter, Maxine Ashcroft, 56.

The car was stopped by police after a member of the public reported they thought the driver was under the influence of alcohol.

Ashcroft was found to be nearly three times over the legal limit when she gave a breathalyser reading at Middlewich police station.

The veteran actress later arrived at the station and was arrested herself on suspicion of drink driving.

A sample of her blood was taken which gave a alcohol reading of 85 micrograms per 100 millilitres of blood - the legal limit being 80.

Ashcroft, from Lechlade, Gloucestershire, was banned from driving for two years in a hearing at the same court earlier this month.

Knox left the court with Mr Freeman and made no comment as she was driven away.