BIG and little acting names from Bolton are celebrating after being shortlisted for a number of top awards.

The Octagon Theatre has been nominated in several categories of this year's Manchester Theatre Awards.

Among its stars in line for picking up the glitzy honour are Bolton's very own Amy Nuttall and a 13-year-old school girl.

Little Lever School pupil Lucy Doyle Ryder, from Radcliffe, has been nominated as Best Newcomer for her role as Scout Finch in Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

The role was her first experience on the big stage and she is nominated alongside Jasime De Goede, who she shared the role with.

Dad Andrew said: "It is amazing, she will be so happy with this, she will be thrilled.

"She loved her time on the show, absolutely loved it."

Amy, who hails from Lostock and is know to television audiences for her roles in Emmerdale and Downton Abbey, has been shortlisted as a Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the tragic Hermione in The Winter’s Tale.

The Shakespeare Tale was part of the Octagon's celebrates of 150 years since the death of the Bard.

Fellow Winter's Tale star Rob Edwards could win the Best Actor award thanks to his performance of humble, but brave, lawyer Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird.

His co-star Marc Small has also been recognised her his emotional portrayal of the doomed Tom Robinson, the black man accused of raping a white woman in Harper Lee's iconic story, adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel.

Rivalling Lucy for best newcomer is Daisy Badger, who appeared in Look Back In Anger at the Octagon in April.

Meanwhile, Natalie Grady, will rival Amy for Best Supporting Actress for her part in Martha Josie and the Chinese Elvis..

Showstopping musical Singin' in the Rian, which won praise when it hit the Octagon stage this July, is up for Best Musical, Best Design and Best Ensemble, while The Secret Garden, which featured a cast of youngsters, is also in line for the Youth Panel Award.

Octagon chief executive Roddy Gauld said: "We are delighted to be nominated for the Manchester Theatre Awards.

"Over the past 12 months our actors, staff, creative teams and Elizabeth, our Artistic Director, have given huge amounts of passion and extraordinary talent to create brilliant, engaging theatre.

"Being nominated for the awards is a massive credit to the work of everyone here at the Octagon, and the directors and cast members who bring our productions to life. We’re really looking forward to the ceremony, and celebrating with the other talented companies and theatres in the region."

Nearly 90 performers or productions have been chosen in more than 20 categories for the Manchester Theatre Awards, picked by a panel of 10 regional theatre critics.

A group of enthusiastic young critics also choose an annual award from amongst the city’s youth theatre productions.

All the winners will be announced live on stage in a red carpet event at Manchester’s HOME venue on March 17, hosted by comedian, actor - and playwright - Justin Moorhouse, and members of the public can join in the occasion.

All nominees are invited to the awards event and public tickets are available, priced £15, at www.homemcr.org or 0161 200 1500.