Channel 4 has insisted a graphic attempted rape scene in Brookside be toned town before it is screened.

It is likely the channel's controllers thought the scenes were too violent to be screened before the 2100 watershed on Wednesday.

In the rape scene the character Lindsey Corkhill is cornered by gangster Callum Finnegan. The original version showed Callum grab hold of Lindsey, played by Claire Sweeney, cut her face on a wall and menacingly put his hand up her skirt.

The attack is the culmination of a storyline in which Lindsey rejected Callum's advances and decided against co-operating with his family over the running of her nightclub.

Production company Mersey Television confirmed programme makers had less than a day to re-edit the scene.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: "If we think any programme might breach ITC guidelines then they have to make changes."

Actor Gerard Kelly, who plays Callum, said he was not surprised the scenes were being toned down.

"I said to my friends that I would be very surprised if they didn't edit it a bit. Me and Claire just went for it," he said.

Brookside, which has been nominated for Best Soap Opera at the Bafta TV awards, is no stranger to controversial storylines. Previous plots have revolved around incest and the consequences of drug abuse.