BOLTON actress Amy Nuttall is hoping to hit the big time following her nomination for the Sexiest Female prize in next month's British Soap Awards.

The 20-year-old brunette plays fresh-faced waitress Chloe Atkinson in Emmerdale.

But it is her face and body which are attracting attention this time.

Not being one to shy away from the limelight, Amy has already appeared on Page Three of The Sun in a bid to gather support for her nomination.

The newspaper's verdict was that she was "outstanding in her field".

Amy joined the ITV1 rural saga in 2000 and since then she has become a firm favourite with fans of the soap.

Talented Amy, who went to Bury Grammar School, had her first taste of stardom when she starred in a prestigious touring production of the musical The Phantom of the Opera.

She has always said she would eventually like to pursue a musical career -- but if she wins the Sexiest Female prize it could well be a modelling career which is on the horizon.

Amy, from Lostock, left Bury Grammar School aged 13 to study at the Arts Educational School in Hertfordshire.

She gave up her A-Levels in order to concentrate on her stage and screen career.