EE, BY 'ECK CHUCK, a trip to the Granada Studios Tour is certainly a nostalgic event for all lovers of Britain's most famous street.

Yes, the chance to tread the hallowed cobbles of Coronation Street is something that no devotee of the country's best loved, longest enduring soap opera can resist.

I made the pilgrimage with my missus and mum-in-law (they're both great fans and never miss an episode - and woe betide anybody ringing them between 7.30 and 8pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays).

The studios tour is based in Manchester and is easy to find. When we entered we walked into a world of fantasy and fun. Now the Street is only a part of the tour, but as all visitors know, it is the jewel in the crown, and how brightly it shines.

It was interesting to stand outside the Rovers Return, you could almost feel the ghosts of former stars who either worked or enjoyed a tipple, be it Newton and Ridleys or a gin and tonic.

Yes, as I stood on the doorstep of the pub, which bears the name of licensee Veronica Duckworth, looking across towards Des Barnes's love shack I could not help but remember Annie Walker (the late Doris Speed), Bet Gilroy (Julie Goodyear), and Reg Holdsworth (Ken Morley).

Rita Sullivan's Kabin newsagents, and, unforgettably, the Duckworth's stone clad former des res, also took me back on a trip down memory lane recalling antics and escapades involving many a lovable character.

The tour started with a look at how the show is put together, and the party squealed with delighted surprise when cheated Sally Webster (actress Sally Whittaker) put in an impromptu appearance.

She asked stunned fans whether or not she should take errant husband, Wetherfield Grease Monkey Kevin, back. The disapproval said it all. The fans forgot it was only make believe. They wanted to hug 'our Sal' and tell her things would get better. Sometimes separating fact from fiction is difficult, or so it would seem.

But there is so much more to the tour than the magnetic allure of the Street. For thrillseekers there are two superb attractions. The new Gladiators Skytrak is for the seriously deranged. Basically you are strapped tummy down into a clamp on a track which then whisks you at lightning speeds around the complex. A change of underwear is worth bringing if you fancy a go on this!

There is also the Aliens feature which sees you join forces with a squad of crack space marines to face razor teeth and acid blood at every turn. But be warned, the lucky ones only get their nerves shredded.

There is also the Robocop ride and the UFO Zone, which sets you the task of being the first ITN reporter allowed into the wreckage of a UFO, and your mission is to expose the terrible mysteries which lie concealed among the twisted debris. It's screams all the way on this nightmare voyage into the unknown.

And there is so much more. Why not take a stroll down Sherlock Holmes' Baker Street. And there is the Moll Flanders set, a replica House of Commons, as used in shows such as First Among Equals, Final Cut and The New Statesman. For all fans of the hit drama, Cracker, there's a chance to try your detective skills in a computerised interactive film show.

For the children there is fun and laughter with Sooty - a show that's overflowing with mayhem.

Space doesn't allow me to mention much more but make sure you allow yourself a good six hours to look around. There's so much to see. And it's a magic day out you will always remember. LOCATION: Granada Studios is situated on the outskirts of Manchester, just a short distance from the M62, M602 and M56 motorways. Follow the brown tourism signs on all major routes approaching the city.

INFORMATION: 24-hour information line 0161832 4999; Group bookings 0161 833 0880; Corporate Sales 0161 828 5228.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.