CORONATION Street star Julia Haworth today revealed her ambition to become the next Victoria Wood after starting work writing a six-part TV sitcom.

Julia, 25, who plays nanny Claire Casey in the soap, has been working hard on the Corrie set, filming wedding preparations to fiance Ashley Peacock.

But off-screen she has been meeting with writing partner Christopher Dance, 28, penning a comedy series set in the north she hopes will be screened early next year.

Julia, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, has already been likened to comedienne and script writer Victoria Wood in the media and said people who enjoyed the series Dinnerladies should also like her work.

She said: "I can not complain about being compared to Victoria Wood - that is a massive compliment. That is what I'm aspiring to. I thought Dinnerladies was fantastic and my mum is a dinner lady too, so we both really enjoyed it.

"I met Christopher years ago and always said we should do some writing together but just never got the chance until April this year. We have just completed the first draft of the first episode which was a great feeling.

"It took us ages to get to grip with the characters and their histories so to get that first episode finished was wonderful."

Julia is remaining tight-lipped about about the series details until all episodes are written and a deal with a television channel secured. But she was willing to reveal that it was strong Northern humour, with the story based around characters that live in a Northern seaside town.

She said: "Christopher and I have been speaking with people within the television industry and have been given names of who might be interested in commissioning the series. If they like the first episode, they will ask to see more and then it will be back to the grindstone to get the other five written.

"The Coronation Street cast think I'm crazy for spending my days off writing, rather than relaxing, but it is nice to do something different.

"This has really benefited my acting and now I can appreciate how much effort goes into writing."

Julia made her debut as nanny Claire Casey in April 2003, but the Burnley Youth Theatre member is no stranger to TV.

During a 10-year career, she has also won roles in Where The Heart Is, The Grand, Medics, Merseybeat and Peak Practice. She made her acting debut at the age of 13 when she starred in Three Seven Eleven.