SCHOOLBOY actor Dale Peters has got his big break -- after being chosen to play a central role in the launch of a new television channel.

Dale, aged 16, from Little Lever, will appear on TV screens in the flagship drama "Burn It", which is part of a series of programmes kicking off the new digital channel BBC 3.

And his appearance means he is now one step closer to his dream of appearing in a Hollywood film.

Dale joined the Carol Godby Theatre Workshop in Bury three years ago, and has been reaching for the stars ever since.

He has just finished filming the new adult drama series for the BBC. He plays the lead character, Andy, when he was younger during flashbacks to the 1980s.

The role during the present day is played by North-west actor Kieran O'Brien, who also starred in children's television series "Gruey", part of which was shot in Farnworth.

"Burn It" is the story of the day-to-day life of three friends in their late 20s living in Manchester.

Dale said: "I really enjoy acting and got involved after a friend of the family suggested I start going to a workshop. This is what I want to do when I leave school and have been to college.

"When I was filming 'Burn It' in Manchester, I was in a caravan with Mel B who plays a nurse in the show. At first I was quite star struck, but I got used to it in the end.

"My dream role would be to star with Keanu Reeves in one of the Matrix films."

Dale also took part in a safety film about playing near water. He got involved after a close schoolfriend died after falling into a canal while playing near his Little Lever home.

The young star is making plans for his future and plans to study drama at university once he has finished his GCSEs at Little Lever School. Dale hopes to go onto Bury College in September to study drama and media at A-Level, but will be keep going to auditions until he hits the big time.

His mother, Gill, has encouraged Dale to follow his dream.

She said: "This is what he wants to do and it is fantastic that he has managed to get a part like this. He's been shortlisted for films in the past and even auditioned for the role of Harry Potter. The family can't wait to see him when they show the new series."

The first episode of "Burn It" will be shown on BBC3 on February 9.