CORRIE'S TRACY SHUTS CHARITY

CORONATION Street's Tracy Shaw says money problems have forced her to wind up the charity she founded to support people with eating disorders.

Tracy, 29, who plays hairdresser Maxine Peacock, blames "management and financial pressures" for her decision to close the Tracy Shaw Foundation, set up in aid of anorexia and bulimia sufferers.

The news comes less than a week after Tracy revealed she is to quit her role in the soap. She is expected to leave the show next year in an explosive storyline linked to the "who's the daddy?" storyline involving her screen husband Ashley Peacock and ex- neighbour Dr Matt Ramsden. Tracy, whose own weight plummeted from eight to five stone when she suffered anorexia, was inspired to set up her appeal after hearing how a 16-year-old girl came within three days of starving herself to death.

Vicki Carter, 19, from Stockport has since won her battle against the illness after her parents backed a court order to force feed her.

Tracy said: "Running the charity has been hard work and solicitors and accountants need paying, but I will continue to raise money for the cause."

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