Season 5 - Episode Guide

David plans a surprise party for Karen's 40th birthday, even though she'd rather not bother, and Anna rekindles her romance with Simon now he's returned from Australia a single man once more. Jess is devastated to receive disappointing A level results, meaning she can't get away from home, and newcomers the Morecroft family arrive in Skelthwaite, hoping to shake off their tragic past.

Stephen is faced with a dilemma when he meets an old flame. Karen and David begin to worry about the whereabouts of Jess, and an elderly patient is distraught when his partner is put into care

Stephen faces a tough decision about his future in Skelthwaite, while Karen puts her career on the line by crossing swords with Dr Kenworthy over her concerns for one of his patients.

Henry is left heartbroken when Jess falls for a hunky waiter, and the members of the nursing team help a young couple who are being cruelly manipulated by a selfish old man as they attempt to cope with a life-changing dilemma. Meanwhile, Anna is preoccupied with a problem of her own, and Simon is not the only one to fall victim to her sharp tongue.

As Anna agonises about breaking the news of her pregnancy to Simon, a glamorous woman stirs up trouble between them. Meanwhile, Stephen and Jacqui prepare to leave Skelthwaite to start their new life in Glasgow, but Vic is subdued by the prospect of losing his son, daughter-in-law and grandson, and Henry realises he's got a fight on his hands if he wants to win back Jess from Hussan.

Chris is bowled over by new nurse Beth and wastes little time trying to woo her, while Anna is annoyed that the whole village appears to know about her pregnancy, except the one person who really matters. Henry nurses a broken heart and confronts his love rival after one too many in the pub, and David's taxi-driving job takes its toll - resulting in a horrific accident.

Anna attacks a faith healer's controversial methods, especially when a youngster with arthritis refuses conventional treatment, and Simon comes under increasing pressure from a hotshot Canadian businessman who makes a shocking takeover bid for his company. Meanwhile, Beth moves in with Vic and Lucy, and Henry gets the sympathy vote from Jess - but will she find out he's been faking his symptoms?

A mysterious stranger returns to Skelthwaite on a mission to find his long-lost father. Simon takes radical steps to thwart business rival Conrad Walker's plans, and Anna makes a decision about the baby's upbringing.

Karen tentatively looks forward to seeing her mother for the first time in 25 years, but unfortunately the reunion doesn't turn out as she hoped. Relations are hardly any more harmonious elsewhere, as Oscar continues to give Cheryl the cold shoulder - leading to a devastating accident at home.

A pregnant schoolgirl runs away after confiding in Anna, deciding to have her baby by herself on the moors, and David tires of pandering to Karen, suspecting her mother is the real reason behind the mystery illness. Chris refuses to give up on his relationship with Beth, despite her plans to finish their affair, and Vic becomes riled by Lucy's girlie chats with Jess, finding it hard to accept that his daughter is growing up.

While attending a conference, David receives a job offer that seems impossible to refuse - will he leave Simon in the lurch? Karen anxiously prepares to meet her estranged mother for lunch, and Chris learns the truth about Beth's marital status. Anna treats a man whose health is suffering due to his job in a textile factory, but ends up equally concerned about his wife's welfare as she struggles to look after her husband and two lazy teenagers.

A memorial service for Peggy brings memories of happy times flooding back to her family and friends. Vic puts on a brave face, while Lucy's poignant speech brings a tear to everyone's eye. Anna becomes increasingly worried about depressed widower Ted, and following a hunch, heads to the factory to find him perched on the roof - ready to jump. Dick and Oscar are surprised by Cheryl's return and a heartfelt confession provides an important breakthrough in their bid to be happily united.

Election fever grips Skelthwaite, but Simon finds his opponent more formidable and devious than the weedy kid he used to bully at school. Karen's mother Linda is becoming a burden at the Buckley home, but a rethink is needed when it emerges she has a serious medical problem, and David finds himself embroiled in Conrad Walker's spurious business empire with no hope of backing out. Meanwhile, Beth uncovers Anita's beauty secrets and plans to make things difficult for estranged husband Stewart.

A good-looking newcomer sets hearts a-flutter among the women of Skelthwaite, but behind the handsome exterior lies a troubled mind. Meanwhile, Linda reveals she needs an urgent operation that will cost 10,000 pounds, and son-in-law David vows to get her the money, but may not be entirely truthful about her illness

The nurses get more than they bargained for as they prepare for a darts match in the Skelthwaite Arms, and Beth has a surprise visitor.

David puts his money worries aside to captain the local cricket team in a grudge match against their rivals - but is the game up for the bungling businessman? Hussan uses a cheap trick to try to win Jess back, while Anna refuses to let Simon help her with the baby, determined to go it alone, but finds comfort in sharing her woes with young mum Marie Briggs, who is also struggling to cope with the pressures of single parenthood.