Soap opera censured

THE television soap Emmerdale was yesterday censured again over excessive violence.

The Broadcasting Standards Council said it was upholding complaints from six viewers about scenes in May showing an armed robbery.

The decision followed criticism of the ITV soap two weeks ago by the industry's regulator, the Independent Television Commission.

The ITC said it shared the concern of viewers about 'the change in Emmerdale towards a tougher and more violent style'.

Scenes criticised by the BSC showed masked raiders storming a post office and a street shoot-out.

The BSC said the level of violence 'exceeded limits appropriate' for a serial transmitted for a family audience.