By heck, those Weatherfield folk certainly know the best place to find peace and relaxation - where else but the Norfolk Broads.One of the country's biggest areas of inland waterways for boating holidays has become central to the latest storyline in TV's longest-running soaps.

By heck, those Weatherfield folk certainly know the best place to find peace and relaxation - where else but the Norfolk Broads.

One of the country's biggest areas of inland waterways for boating holidays has become central to the latest storyline in TV's longest-running soaps.

The Broads is featuring in one of the current major storylines involving Coronation Street veteran Ken Barlow and his fling with posh actress, Martha.

Ken, played by William Roache, is about to leave long-suffering wife, Deirdre and his drab life on the Weatherfield cobblestones for the altogether more alluring charms of Martha, played by Stephanie Beacham.

Ken has been dithering over his decision whether to leave his dull boring life behind and Martha's patience is wearing thin and she told him in Friday's episode that after finishing a play she is off to spend a few months on the Broads where she wants to completely unwind and do some reading.

The growing romance between Ken and Martha has been gripping fans of the show and it now looks as if intellectual Ken will pack his bags and join Martha on her barge as they head for Norfolk.

Regular Corrie viewers will know that it isn't the first time that Ken has strayed from his terraced home on Coronation Street - he has had numerous affairs and is now married for the second time to Deirdre.

But as viewers saw in the closing minutes of Friday's edition, Ken was reflecting on a life on the cobbles and its drab back alleyways with his cigarette-smoking wife or the chance to sail away to the peace and tranquillity of the Broads. For us who already know the delights of the inland waterways, there is surely no contest.

One of Corrie's storyline associates is Norfolk's own Martin Sterling, who by coincidence is currently home in West Norfolk on holiday.

He said that he couldn't claim credit for the Broads reference in the script but was delighted that Norfolk was mentioned.

“It's always great in any popular TV show to get a mention of different parts of the country,” said Martin who has been writing for the top-rated show for five years.

He recalled that there had been a previous Norfolk link in the show when Roy Cropper and his wife, Hayley, spoke about visiting Nelson's birthplace but they were never shown on screen at the village of Burnham Thorpe.

A few years ago in the rival BBC soap, EastEnders, a group of the young characters headed off for a break - yes, to the Norfolk Broads, of course.