ATHERTON diva Claire Moore has danced into the West End limelight once again - playing a leading role in the hit musical "The King and I".

Claire has stepped into the shoes - and massive crinolene worn by Elaine Paige - to portray Anna for a two week stint at the London Palladium while the star is away on holiday.

It is the second time as understudy the former Hesketh Fletcher High School girl has taken over the part.

Earlier this year she stood in when Ms Paige was too exhausted to go on after a day in the recording studio - and was a sensation.

Local fans can see her at all performaces this week and next.

Claire, 40, has come a long way since at the age of 15 she took part in a school production of the Pirates of Penzance.

After taking exams at Hesketh Fletcher and Leigh College she went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music to study opera and vocal.

Now married with two children, and living in the South, Claire's first steps to fame came when The Phantom of the Opera's leading lady, Sarah Brightman, fell ill and she took over as the alternative Christine.

Then she captured the role completely and won critical claim for both her acting and singing.

She has not looked back since and has become a famous face on the West End stage.

She has starred in The Little Shop of Horrors, been in Les Miserables and Miss Saigon and played alongside Richard Harris in Camelot .

But despite her glittering career Claire has never forgotten her home town where she has performed regularly.

Sister Viv said: "Claire was thrilled at having to go on. It's all very exciting."