Doctors saved me - Corrie's Vera

Coronation Street star Liz Dawn thanked doctors for saving her life as she opened a research unit for patients with lung diseases.

The veteran actress, who played Vera Duckworth in the soap, said she owes her life to staff at Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital, where she unveiled the £3.4 million centre.

Liz was diagnosed with emphysema in 2004, but she thought the symptoms were just asthma until she paid a visit to the hospital.

She said: "I only had a third of my lungs working when I first came here. I was in a bad way and I had pneumonia twice.

"Professor (Ashley) Woodcock - who is here today - I feel as if he saved my life because I hadn't been taking the proper medication and I've been coming in here to see him ever since. I feel as if my life's begun, I've got my life back."

The centre will offer new treatments and diagnostic tests for people who have lung diseases.