THERE were emotional scenes in Coronation Street tonight as character Seb Franklin died after a vicious attack. 

Viewers were left heartbroken as the tragedy unfolded, following the attack on Seb and girlfriend Nina Lucas, played by Mollie Gallagher.

The ITV soap has been working with the foundation created after the murder of Sophie Lancaster for the hate crime storyline.

Ms Lancaster, from Bacup, was a 20-year-old goth, murdered in 2007 because of the way she dressed. She died in hospital 13 days after the unprovoked attack.

Her mother set up the Sophie Lancaster Foundation in her daughter’s memory to focus on creating respect for, and understanding of, subcultures.

A Twitter post after this evening's hard-hitting scenes said: "We couldn’t have asked any more from the writers at @itvcorrie, the production team, the cast and crew. Thank you for your sensitivity and desire to do the story justice."

Ms Lancaster’s mother Sylvia, who is chief executive of the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, previously said: “I know first-hand the abuse, harassment and violence that alternative people suffer.

“Hate crime is usually directed at already stigmatised and minority groups and Sophie was assaulted three times before that final, sustained and brutal attack that took her life – but she never reported the earlier assaults.

“Coronation Street covering this issue means such a huge amount to me.

“We want alternative people to know that they shouldn’t be putting up with this prejudice and intolerance, and they should report it.”

Ms Lancaster was set upon by drunk teenagers in Stubbylee Park, Bacup.

The gang turned on her and her boyfriend, Rob Maltby, 21, who survived the attack, because of their alternative appearance.

Ms Lancaster was kicked and stamped on as she cradled the injured Mr Maltby.

Both fell into comas, but gap-year student Ms Lancaster never regained consciousness.

Corrie characters Nina, who has a Victorian goth identity, and Seb - played by Harry Visinoni - have fallen head-over-heels in love in recent weeks.

In the episodes, the couple had been out walking when they find themselves subjected to an unprovoked attack.

Corrie producer Iain MacLeod said: “The issue of intolerance and hatred towards people from different cultures and subcultures is arguably more relevant now than it’s ever been.

“This incredibly hard-hitting storyline, which centres on a senseless act of violence, will draw in characters from all corners of our narrative universe and will, we hope, leave the audience with a clear message – everyone, regardless of how they look, how they dress or any aspect of how they live their life, should be treated with tolerance and respect.

“The story will run across the rest of the year and beyond, with many twists and turns, and will be heartbreaking and dramatic in equal measure.

“In the end, the story will see an optimistic outcome emerge from the traumatic attack.”