AS Twopence To Cross The Mersey hits the Theatre Royal stage this week, for one of its cast members it will almost be like a homecoming.

Emma Dears, who originates from Eccleston Park, was picked out as a talent for the future by the Star in 1990 when she won the 'Young Stars of Tomorrow' competition when she was 16.

And Emma, who has performed at the Theatre Royal on many occasions, will return to her old stomping ground for the first stage adaptation of the show based on Helen Forrester's memoirs.

The former Shameless and Hollyoaks actress portrays Helen's callous mother in the production.

"I think the Theatre Royal is a lovely venue, the audience are not too far away but it's still a traditional theatre, which I like," says Emma, who now lives in Prescot.

"I won the competition with the Star 25 years ago now. Since then I've done a lot of West End shows including Les Miserables and Grease and worked down in London for years before I then moved back up to do TV work.

"I have loved doing Twopence, we've done a three-week run at the Epstein. This is a straight play and personally I think it's more reflective of the book. The cast is great and it has been received really well.

"We have all had a lovely time and there is only eight of us so that's really important. They're a really nice bunch and obviously very talented."

The play tells the true story of Helen and her formerly wealthy family as they were thrown into poverty during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

They uproot their shattered lives and go to Liverpool to start again to rebuild their dreams but a terrible shock awaits.

Leading lady Maria Lovelady, 26, who stars as Helen and hails from Widnes, will also be on familiar territory. The former Carmel College student has performed at the theatre in the past as an amateur.