THREE actresses from Burnley have been picked to play the roles of the Pankhurst family suffragettes in a BBC1 Northwest Tonight feature.

Brenda Kean, who is well-known for her work with the fiftysomething Theatre Company, will take on the role of Emily Pankhurst, who campaigned vigorously for voting rights for women, and her daughter Helena Kean is playing Sylvia Pankhurst the more artistic and musical member of the family who came to reject the tactics of the suffragettes.

Fiery Christobel Pankhurst is played by Maria Corr who is making her acting debut.

The Pankhurst feature will be shown on March 3 during the TV news programme which starts at 6.30pm.

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