HOLLYOAKS star Emma Rigby, from St Helens, has been crowned best actress at the British Soap Awards.

The former De La Salle pupil scooped the honour at the glitzy ceremony in London on Saturday night.

She won best actress for playing Hannah Ashworth in a dramatic storyline about battling anorexia.

It was Hollyoaks that led the way at the awards ceremony in London, scooping six gongs.

Best Actor Award went to Emma's co-star Chris Fountain who plays Justin Burton, as well as prizes for sexiest female, best exit and spectacular scene of the year award.

The awards were hosted at BBC Television Centre, London, by This Morning presenters Fern Britton and Philip Schofield.

Star readers will be able to see Emma collect her award when the British Soap Awards is screened on ITV1 on Wednesday, May 7 at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Coronation Street weighed in with five awards, including a lifetime achievement for veteran star Liz Dawn, who first appeared in the soap in 1974 and bowed out this year when her character Vera Duckworth died of a heart attack.

Hollyoaks' star Roxanne McKee, who won the sexiest female award, said the show was finally getting the recognition it deserved.

Another young star who picked up an award was EastEnders Jamie Borthwick who plays Jay Brown in the show.

BBC One's EastEnders won four awards on the night including Best British Soap, which was presented by Linda Gray, who played Sue Ellen Ewing in Dallas. The soap also won the award for Best Storyline for Max and Stacey's affair.