IT'S a long way from The Rovers Return, but yesterday two Coronation Street stars were in a North-East pub to back a new literacy and numeracy campaign.

Keith Duffy and Steven Arnold, who play Ciaran McCarthy and Ashley Peacock in the soap, visited the Red Lion in Priestgate, Darlington, to promote the Get On North-East initiative.

The pair played a game of darts, showing how numeracy is important in all walks of life, before autographing the dartboard, which will be auctioned in aid of Make a Child Smile.

"In my situation, I've got two kids and there's often times when they come home needing help with their homework, but some people can't help them," said Keith, who was also a member of pop group Boyzone and had a hit with Words.

"After coming out of Boyzone, where all I ever had to write was autographs, it was hard reading scripts at first - but three years later, I can fly through a script and that's all due to the fact that I have been reading a lot."

The campaign aims to help adults improve their reading, writing and basic maths and encourage them to gain Skills for Life qualifications.

Steven, who won the darts match, said the pair had enjoyed their visit to Darlington and the hospitality in the Red Lion.

He said: "It's a very nice pub - I might have a word with my uncle Fred about it!"

The Get On North-East hotline is 0800 100 900.