A SOUTH Lakes Corrie star has paid tribute to her "beautiful on screen mummy" Anne Kirkbride.

Kirkby Lonsdale actress Kate Ford, who plays the daughter of Anne Kirkbride's character Deirdre Barlow, said she was "heartbroken " over the loss of her "unique" friend with the "warmest heart".

The 37-year-old former Queen Elizabeth School pupil has shared just a few of Mrs Kirkbride's many years on the cobbles of Coronation Street.

"From my first day at Coronation Street Annie welcomed me with open arms," said Ms Ford, who returned to the street in 2010 following a stint from 2002 to 2007. "Her first question to anyone new she met was: "What's your star sign" she was genuinely interested in each and everyone she met.

"She had the biggest, warmest heart and a startling and refreshing openness and there was never any pretence with her. She was just Annie. She was unique."

The 60-year-old actress had been on the programme for more than 40 years and had appeared in a staggering 1,439 episodes since joining the long-running soap in 1972 as Deirdre Hunt.

She died in a Manchester hospital on Monday (January 19) following a short illness.

Filming of the show was cancelled on Tuesday as the announcement of the Corrie veteran's death reached soap star colleagues and friends.

“She was amazing on set. Fun when cameras weren't rolling and word perfect and totally on it when they were," added Ms Ford. "I will miss her every day."

Born in Oldham, Mrs Kirkbride is survived by her husband David Beckett.

The pair met on the set of Coronation Street and married in 1992.

In 1993 she fought a battle with cancer after being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and left the show, returning after one year.

Ms Ford wrote: "Heartbroken at the loss of my friend and beautiful on screen mummy. The most crazy funny 100 per cent human. My life was enriched by her."

She added: "Annie was always there for me and was a shoulder in my life whenever things were tough - putting teddies on the bed and running me candle lit bubble baths at her house.

"I loved her so much."

Mrs Kirkbride was honoured with a tribute at the National Television Awards last night (Wednesday January 21) at London's O2 Arena.

Stars mourning the loss of one of Coronation Street's most recognisable faces took to Twitter to pay their respects.

Co-star and friend for many years, Mrs Kirkbride's on-off husband William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, said she was "such a loving and vibrant person".

Michelle Keegan, who played Tina McIntyre tweeted: "So so sad. Devastating news. Love you Annie. The nation is now in mourning....XXX."

In a tweet from Les Dennis, he paid tribute to "one of the true icons" of Coronation Street.