CONTROVERSIAL Coronation Street character Hayley Patterson - the transsexual shop worker played by East Lancashire actress Julie Hesmondhalgh - makes her return to the soap tomorrow.

And while her character has been off in Amsterdam undergoing a sex change operation, Julie has been in even more exotic locations, taking in Los Angeles, Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela - and Haslingden!

She visited the official opening of Haslingden's new market, together with the Mayor of Rossendale, Coun Mollie Disley and town crier Peter Gill, pictured with her.

The soap star, who is from Church and is a former pupil of Moorhead High School, Accrington, said: "It's great to see a market opening up for once rather than closing down and the new market here is lovely."

"It's just been one exotic location after another for me since I was last on TV!" Julie's character is set to be reunited with hapless cafe worker Roy Cropper when she returns to the screen tomorrow.

The actress, who describes Hayley and Roy as a match made in heaven, said: "Roy goes out to Amsterdam to try and find Hayley. He does find her, but you'll have to watch to find out what happens when he does!"

Julie, whose parents John and Maureen live in Church, carefully researched her controversial role through reading and speaking to transsexuals when news of the new character got out.

She has seen Hayley as a challenge and believes the support of actor David Neilson, who plays cafe owner Roy, has helped her as she defended her portrayal of Hayley following complaints from viewers.

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