Popular soap Coronation Street has come to West Cumbria with filming set to take place tomorrow (Tuesday).

Crews for the long-running ITV soap have been setting up on Whitehaven harbourside, near the town's lighthouse.

It is believed filming will take place throughout this week.

Caravans and vans have taken over Wellington Pit car park on the harbourside while the path towards the lighthouse has been closed.

An ITV sign, on the barrier blocking the road, reveals filming will take place behind that point.

One Whitehaven resident said the soap's producers had been for a recce on the harbourside before Christmas.

The episodes are expected to air at the end of March.

Fans of the show have been speculating on Facebook about why filming is taking place in Whitehaven, with many suggesting it may be related to the storyline of villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre.

Joan Telford said: "Could this be anything to do with Phelan's death?"

And Jenna Cairns said: "Think they're filming Phelan's demise."

Coronation Street boss Kate Oates previously told the Radio Times that Phelan's downfall would come in 2018.

A red van which has been used by Phelan in the show has also been spotted on the harbourside.

The villain has been responsible for a number of murders during his time on the show. He has been rated as one of the best soap villains of all time, winning 'Villain of the Year' award at the British Soap Awards 2016.

The programme, which has been running since 1960, airs six times a week, between 7.30pm and 8pm and 8.30pm and 9pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.