A BOY has set off on the path to a career on the big screen by landing a role in the channel four soap Hollyoaks.

Nine-year-old Daniel Seymour from Birch Grove, Wincham, is to star in two episodes of the popular teen soap. He started filming his scenes last week.

Mum Linda said: "It's great for him. He did a couple of scenes last Monday, and over the four-week period he's in for about five days. It is a great experience for him to be able to do it."

Daniel, who attends Wincham Community Primary School, said he is excited about the role.

He added: "I just like acting. I was introduced to everyone on the set and I enjoyed it. I filmed two scenes on the first day."

He also managed to fit an appearance as an extra in Grange Hill into his summer holiday schedule last week.

The filming is based in Liverpool and Daniel's next session was due to be completed yesterday.

Linda added: "For the last three years he has started to take an interest in it.

"He wants to do TV and film more than anything.

"He goes to Stagecoach as well, but I think he prefers the acting rather than the singing and dancing."

Daniel got his chance to appear on the show after being signed up by the Lamont casting agency.

Nearly all its children are recruited from Merseyside but Daniel persuaded them to take him on their books.

Agency director Diane Lamont said: "When Daniel applied, we nearly turned him down because he was outside our catchment area but he won us over with his charm and talent."