Violent soaps told to clean up their act

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Media watchdog Ofcom said violence in programmes such as Coronation Street and EastEnders - both shown before the watershed, at a time when children are likely to be watching - has reached the 'limit of acceptability'.

The move was prompted by four episodes of Emmerdale, broadcast last September, which showed a woman being shot in the chest.

The watchdog said: "Ofcom recognises that these programmes are aimed at an adult audience and that, to reflect real life, producers will include challenging material.

"However, given that these programmes are generally transmitted some time before the 9pm watershed, such content must be treated with particular and due care." Emmerdale, which goes out at 7pm, was also criticised last April for showing one character killing another with a fire extinguisher.

ITV, which said the shooting episode had been one of the most popular in Emmerdale's history, apologised for having caused offence.

But it defended its decision to run the storyline, saying: "While our stories do not condone violent acts, it need not and should not shy away from them."

Viewers were warned about the content of the show before it was broadcast, it added.

This year an episode of Coronation Street was the subject of more than 30 complaints about scenes of bullying and torture.

One character, with his hands tied behind his back, was shown having his head forced into a bath full of water several times. The broadcaster was found not to have breached guidelines.