Scotland's biggest TV drama, High Road, is to be axed.

The soap’s cast claim they have not been told about future plans to record episodes of the 24-year-old soap, known to be the Queen Mother’s favourite. The move will be a huge disappointment for the 1 in 5 Scots who watch the show - a staggering one million viewers - and will see the end of well-known characters like Mrs Mack, played by Gwyneth Guthrie.

Some High Road actors claim Scottish Television has already agreed to ditch the programme. According to reports, a relative of a senior cast member said: "She’s been told the High Road had been axed. "She’s very depressed, but STV aren’t admitting it. It’s her life and now her life’s on hold."

Andy Cameron, who plays Chic Cherry, said he had not been informed about future filming plans. He said: "If they take the High Road off the air they are off their heads. It’s very popular and there would be a huge gap for STV and for Scotland."

Originally titled Take the High Road, the soap hit the TV screens in 1977 and soon became the biggest drama produced in Scotland. Very recently, the Queen visited SMG, the media group which is behind the soap, to see how her mother’s favourite show was made.