Carla Connor sexually attacked by Frank Foster in Coronation Street

Coronation Street's Carla Connor will be raped by her fiance Frank Foster.

The factory owner - who is played by Alison King - is set to be sexually assaulted by her business associate lover when she calls off their forthcoming wedding and announces her love for boozy bookie Peter Barlow (Chris Gascoyne).

However, viewers won't have to endure the harrowing scenes of the actual attack.

A source said: "These scenes will be uncomfortable to watch to say the least - but you don't see the actual rape because that might be too disturbing for younger viewers."

The 38-year-old actress has been working closely with rape support groups to ensure the storyline, which will see Frank (Andrew Lancel) try to convince Carla it was her fault, is portrayed realistically.

The insider added to The Sun: "This is such a sensitive subject and it's important to get it right. The storyline is very gritty and realistic. It's lacking the comic and homely touch Corrie is famous for.

"However, storylines are planned so far in advance bosses can't just scrap scenes to make things lighter immediately."

Peter will find out about Carla's traumatic experience and attack Frank, which will see the bookmaker arrested for affray.

But 'Coronation Street' executive producer Phil Collinson recently looked to have signalled the ITV1 soap could take on a different direction in future episodes.

He said: "We've been at the police station and the court a little bit too much."