EMMERDALE star Roxanne Pallet brought her own brand of northern charm to the Market Place shopping centre when she introduced a glamorous fashion show.

Roxanne, better known as Jo Sugden from the ITV soap, compered the show, introducing the fashions on show as well as the supporting entertainment acts.

Roxanne, who is originally from Carlisle, visited Bolton for the first time yesterday, but she said she would definitely come back to do some Christmas shopping with her mum.

She said: “People from Bolton are lovely and friendly, and I love the accent. I’m a big fan of Vernon Kay.

“This is my first time in Bolton, but I’ve always wanted an excuse to come, and now I’ve got one.

“I love this shopping centre as well. It’s a beautiful old building, and it’s been turned into something so contemporary. It’s lovely. She added: “I’m a very girly girl, and I like all the high street stuff. I’ve already found Topshop.”

The fashion show was organised by the Market Place to celebrate the completion of its refurbishment and re-opening, and all the clothes on display were from shops at the centre.

During the interval, shoppers watched the energetic four-piece string quartet Siren blast out modern covers of popular pieces of classical music.

They were joined by indie band Inside View and solo artist Gareth Grady, who were winners in the Market Place’s battle of the bands competition earlier this year.

A gaggle of celebrity lookalikes had front row seats during the show to add a touch of glamour to the proceedings, and Roxanne introduced them as David and Victoria Beckham, Kylie Minogue and Sarah Jessica Parker.