A TALENTED schoolgirl is keeping her fingers crossed as she waits to find out whether she will be the star of a new children's television programme.

Eight-year-old Emily Kay beat more than 500 children from across the country to be a presenter in the pilot episode of a new show for Channel Five.

She is now waiting to find out whether the programme - which is yet to be given a name - will be commissioned and if she will be selected for a part.

The youngster, who attends Higher Lane Primary School in Whitefield, got involved when production company Monkey started nationwide auditions.

They contacted the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, which runs classes at Greenmount Primary School, and Emily and some of the other students auditioned.

Emily was given the role of presenter, and went to London last month to take part in filming the pilot episode.

She was involved in a variety of activities for the show, including food-tasting and discussions.

Proud mum Janet, of Woodhall Close, Brandlesholme, said: "We don't know if the bosses at Channel Five will like the programme, and even if they do, they might have their own children to fill the parts.

"We're just waiting to see what happens now."