THE cobbled streets of Weatherfield are in the sights of a Preston actress who has just landed a starring role in top soap Coronation Street.

Tupele Dorgu, 25, from Fulwood, will make her Corrie debut on September 6, as fiesty man-eater, Kelly Crabtree, at Mike Baldwin's knicker factory Underworld.

Programme makers hope Tupele's character will be a good replacement for mouthy Karen McDonald, played by Suranne Jones, who is leaving the series shortly.

The former Our Lady's High School pupil began filming with the rest of the Corrie cast last month and has left her London home to move back to Lancashire to be near the famous Manchester set.

Tupele's father Reg, who lives in Midgery Lane, Fulwood, with wife Margaret, said: "We are very very proud of our daughter."

And Peter Naylor, former geography teacher at Our Lady's High School, Fulwood, where Tupele was a pupil, said he is not surprised that she has landed the role.

"She was a very intelligent and friendly young girl," he said. "Always into drama and she took part in many of the school's plays.

"It's fantastic news and I'm very pleased as I'm sure all her past teachers will be."

This is not the first time Tupele has performed on the small screen. In the past she has played parts in BBC's Merseybeat and daytime soap Doctors as well as numerous stage performances.

Tupele, who graduated from Middlesex University with a degree in dance, said: "I have always been a fan of the show and to play Kelly is a fantastic opportunity in my career.

"Kelly is sexy and uses her sexuality to get what she wants. She doesn't take any prisoners and is incredibly selfish. She looks a bit like a dolly bird, but Kelly is not be underestimated."

Tupele follows in the footsteps of Preston actress, Naomi Russell, who played Bobbi Lewis, also an Underworld steamstress.