An Irish advocacy group for people with Down syndrome is urging the producers of the UK soap Emmerdale to cancel a storyline featuring a couple ending their pregnancy after being told their unborn child has the chromosomal condition.

Down Syndrome Ireland says the storyline will be challenging and distressing for many people with the condition and for their families.

They add that the difficult emotions and choices that arise when considering abortion could have been explored without mentioning the child’s diagnosis.

“We would like to remind TV producers that people with Down syndrome watch TV programmes, listen to the news and read media articles,” the group said.

“This storyline will be challenging and distressing for many people with Down syndrome and their families, as well as for expectant parents”.