A PENDLE actress is set to appear in a new ITV drama based on the wives and mothers of soldiers serving in war-torn Afghanistan.

Amy Strange, 26, from Colne, plays character Keeley in the six-part series Homefront, which starts at 9pm on ITV1 tonight. The series stars Claire Skinner, Clare Higgins, Nicola Stephenson and Antonia Thomas.

Amy, who was signed up by agent Fiona McLoughlin, who represents Orlando Bloom, plays a close friend of character Tasha Raveley, played by Antonia Thomas, who receives the devastating news that her husband has been killed.

Amy, who now lives in London, said: “I really enjoyed playing Keeley, she is nothing like me, she is into wearing a fake tan and tiny leopard skirts. Keeley was a funny role to play, she is a bit stupid but adds a lot of the lightness to the story. She is one of those people that just puts her foot in it all the time.

“Filming in Manchester was great because I got to spend a bit of time at home. I stayed with my gran in Foulridge which was great.”

Former Park High School pupil Amy made her TV debut last year in BBC’s Casualty then in ITV’s Law and Order UK opposite Bradley Walsh and Harriet Walter.

Amy’s real surname is Simpson but she has adopted her mum’s maiden name for the stage.

When she still lived in Colne she appeared in productions for Pendle Hippodrome Youth Theatre and Pendle Borderline Theatre Company and worked part-time at Hedgehogg florist and KP’s Sandwich Bar.

On leaving Nelson and Colne College she secured one of 24 highly-coveted places at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

She added: “Working on Homefront has been a great experience. The cast and director were amazing to work with and hopefully it will lead to other TV roles.”

Amy is also set to appear in BBC drama ‘Frankie’ next year, and independent film ‘Four Walls’ in the coming months.