A FINANCIAL adviser claims he is a victim of Corrie-killer backlash as a result of the antics of evil Richard Hillman.

Nick Thompson, of DTE Financial Services, Wellington Street, Blackburn, said the 'soap' character had lowered the public perception of the profession.

But the 27-year-old former stockbroker, who lives in Chorley, said people should not believe everything they saw on TV and defended the reputation of the financial services industry.

"With the recent Coronation Street storyline the plight of the financial adviser has never been worse," said Nick.

"What with falling investments, endowments not on track and the pensions mis-selling fiasco, our job has never been more challenging.

"Richard Hillman's admittedly far-fetched antics on 'the Street' have only made that perception worse.

"I think people can be a bit sceptical of me at first and sometimes they make jokes, but once we have actually met they realise I can be trusted."

The soap featured Hillman, an independent financial adviser, wreaking havoc on the residents of Coronation Street, murdering three, attempting to commit suicide and kill his family, too, by driving into the canal.

Aside from this, he defrauded several of the older residents of their life savings. Nick, who has three certificates in financial planning and is studying for more, said the current uncertain economic climate of pensions shortfalls, savings gaps and a falling stockmarket was exactly the time when a financial adviser is most needed.

He admitted that there had been some disreputable members of the financial services industry but stressed that these represented only a tiny minority.

"In the past, there have been advisers who would have sold a product purely for the level of commission, without a thought for their client's circumstances or attitude to risk," said Nick.

"I am pleased to say that over recent years our regulatory body, the Financial Services Authority, has tightened up on best practice procedure, ensuring more protection for clients."