A SPA actress will be stepping the red carpet with the glitterati at the British Soap Awards 2003.

Droitwich-born Ela Kay, has two nominations for her role in BBC soap Doctors.

The 21-year-old plays receptionist Carolina Shaw in the weekday show and is vying for the best newcomer and best heroine awards on May 10.

She has chosen her proud mum Annette Westray, who owns True or False beauty salon in High Street, to share that red carpet moment.

Under the glaze of the nation's Press and TV cameras, the pair will rub shoulders with Britain's top soap celebrities.

"We are really excited," said Annette.

"All we need now is a stunning dress for Ela, so if any local designers would like to create an outfit for my daughter - get in touch."

Ela, whose real surname is Kleszczynski, still lives in Droitwich and began her acting career at the Norbury Theatre, aged 12.

She went onto study performing arts at Kidderminster College and then earned a first class honours degree at Guildford School of Acting.

Immediately after graduating, Ela was spotted by an agent and scooped the part of Carolina Shaw.

Her character is aged 20 and has a secret seven-year-old daughter.

The budding star, who has also appeared in BBC drama Holby City, is due to leave Doctors, which is filmed at Pebble Mill, in Birmingham, at the end of the month.

Annette said: "She is auditioning for some really interesting programmes at the moment and plans to move to London.

"The Soap Awards could carry her career even further forward."

The London ceremony will be hosted by Des O'Connor and Melanie Sykes and shown on ITV at a later date.