A YOUNG actor from Weymouth has netted a major TV role in long-running BBC programme Casualty.

Mersey Moore, 10, recently filmed scenes for an episode of the medical drama in Cardiff.

She secured the role in the show, which has been on our screens since 1986, after her agent organised an audition at Elstree Studios.

The budding thespian has already had a varied career on the stage, performing in multiple shows at Weymouth Pavilion and working with theatre company Stagecoach from the age of four.

"It was cool working with the people you see on TV every week," said Mersey.

"They even gave me a signed shirt at the end of the shoot."

Mersey's mother, Melanie, said: "We spent a week and a half in total filming and, in between, she did Her Majesty’s Theatre with Stagecoach.

"We want to say how kind and friendly the cast and crew were."

Her role in Casualty will not be Mersey's first appearance on television screens.

She took part in music-themed programme Kushaboom for Nickelodeon when she was seven years old, celebrating dances from around the world.

"I have definitely changed a lot since the Nickelodeon thing," said Mersey.

"I have learned a lot from doing TV because you learn about how it is done.

"On the stage you just do it and, if you mess up, you have to go along with it, but if you mess up on camera, you can just reshoot it.

"I really want to do more TV."

Mersey remained tight-lipped about the plot of her episode, but did share some of her experiences from filming.

She said: "My favourite people were Amanda Henderson and Crystal Yu because they made me laugh on set.

"They kept making me laugh during really sad scenes."

Melanie was keen to point out how important Weymouth Pavilion has been in nurturing her daughter's talent.

Mersey has performed in several Christmas and Easter shows at the venue, as well as taking on a role in last year's production of Evita.

Melanie said: "They do a lot for local talent and it gives them the stepping stone to do bigger things in bigger places."

Mersey added: "It is really cool to have this here because not a lot of people get to go just down the street and perform."

The episode of Casualty featuring Mersey, which is called 'The Fear', will air on the BBC in July.