FORMER Coronation Street character Mike Baldwin staged a miracle recovery from his demise in the soap to open a new estate agency in Kidderminster.

Actor Johnny Briggs cut the ribbon to mark the arrival of Nock Deighton estate agents at their prime location offices in Worcester Street.

This is the firm's first branch outside Shropshire, where it has been operating for 175 years, making it now of oldest estate agency firm in Kidderminster.

David Jones, partner and head of estate agency for Nock Deighton, said: "Opening in Kidderminster is a very significant move for us. It's a reflection of our faith in the town and its future."

The branch team is headed by Katrina Jones, who managed top-flight agencies in both Devon and Kent before returning to her local area, and senior valuer Christine Winkley, who has held management posts with two other well-known local estate agency firms Nock Deighton was named Shropshire Estate Agency of the Year in the Daily Mail Property Awards 2006.