VIEWERS of TV's top soap in Oxfordshire have given a shocking verdict on the Deirdre Rachid jail saga: we don't give a damn.

Not one person has signed a petition to "Free Deirdre", set up in Dillon's newsagent in Elms Parade, Botley. And branches elsewhere in the county have fared little better, getting a handful of names.

The lovestruck Coronation Street character was convicted of fraud after being duped by her boyfriend Jon Lindsay. She is freed in tonight's episode.

Botley assistant manager Jo Sykes said the idea for the petition came from the chain's head office. But she told the Oxford Mail: "There has been no interest in it whatsoever. Everybody who sees it just bursts out laughing.

"I think the world's gone mad. I've heard people have been writing to the prison, but it's not the case in Botley."

And shop worker Mavis Smart added: "It's silly. I wouldn't sign it. I have signed petitions in the past but for things that are worthwhile."

Customer Doreen Pearson, 64, of Fogwell Road, North Hinksey, said: "I watch Coronation Street but I wouldn't sign a petition. It's silly. There are lots of real people genuinely in prison and people should spend more time thinking about them."

No-one signed up at Kidlington either, while in Northcourt Road, Abingdon, the petition has two signatures. Manageress Sandra Stockford said: "Most people said, 'Keep her there and throw away the key'!"

In Witney the store had three signatures, but topping the bill was the Bicester branch, which had 18 signatures. However, manager Phil Preedy said: "One of the signatures was the Queen Mother."

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