CORNATION Street's Denise Welch has revealed that she is expecting a baby boy.

Denise, whose pregnancy is being written into the top soap's script, is due to become a mother for the second time in March.

The baby will be a brother for 11-year-old Matthew.

Denise, married to actor Tim Healy, revealed the news as she opened a branch of Newcastle Building Society on Wearside.

The actress, who plays pint-pulling Natalie Barnes, said she was tired but happy.

She said: "The tiredness is due as much to all the rushing around I'm doing as my work schedule."

Denise is staying tight-lipped about the storyline surrounding her pregnancy, but plans to leave the show in December.

She will be looking at other TV projects in the summer, after taking a couple of months to rest after the birth.

Denise has no immediate plans to return to the Street after giving birth, but said: "I never say never."

At the opening of the building society, Denise donated a prize of an autographed Coronation Street script.

Manager Isabel Brunton said: "Denise's visit helped our official opening celebration go with a real swing.