Jennifer Ellison scores role next to Lock, Stock star

Jennifer Ellison has landed her first starring role on the big screen

The 21-year-old will play the lead in horror flick The Cottage.

She will co-star with Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels actor Dexter Fletcher.

The film was announced at the Cannes Film Festival and is set to launch the former Brookside star as a major new acting talent.

She made her Hollywood debut last year playing a young dancer in the film adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera.

Before that she spent five years in Channel 4 soap Brookside as Emily Shadwick.

Ellison is determined to make it big as a movie star. "I would love to follow in the footsteps of Catherine Zeta Jones - from the Darling Buds of May to Hollywood," she has said.

The lads' mag favourite was recently signed up as the face - and body - of a new underwear range for Ultimo.

The Cottage begins shooting later this year and is likely to be filmed in Northern Ireland. It has been backed by the UK Film Council.