THE proud family of East Lancashire's latest soap star today spoke of the moment they spotted their daughter on Britain's best-known street for the first time.

Julia Haworth, 23, of Todmorden Road, Burnley, made her debut as nanny Claire Casey on Coronation Street on ITV1 last night.

The character is to be employed to look after baby Joshua Peacock after his mother Maxine was murdered by Richard "Tricky Dicky" Hillman in one of the Manchester-based soap's most explosive storylines.

And Julia looks set to star at the centre of an another major storyline after millions watched as Claire was grilled for the position by grieving dad Ashley Peacock and his overzealous father Fred Elliot.

Proud parents Peter and Valerie, also of Todmorden Road, said they joined millions of avid fans in front of their TV to see Julia become an instant TV hit.

Mr Haworth said: "It was a first class performance. I watch Coronation Street occasionally but her mum is an avid fan and had been really looking forward to it.

"Although seeing her on TV is nothing knew to us, because she has been in the business for ten years, it was still quite exciting.

"We got quite a number of phone calls afterwards from friends and relatives saying how well she had done."

A member of Burnley Youth Theatre, Julia started filming for the show last month and joined a growing group within the cast who hail from East Lancashire.

Trans-sexual sewing machinist Hayley Cropper is played by Julie Hesmondhalgh from Accrington, Burnley actor Malcolm Hebden plays shop assistant Norris Cole and Vicki Entwistle, from Clayton-le-Moors, has made a career from playing loud-mouthed Janice Battersby.

Julia's father said she was thrilled to have landed the part but was no stranger to TV acting during a 10 year career in which 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 years when she starred in a series called Three Seven Eleven.

Coronation Street bosses today remained tight lipped about storylines for Julia's character and her employer but it is thought the nanny could become more than the hired help when she reveals she has feelings for the recently bereaved butcher.