SHE is only 15 but Ruby O'Donnell could soon be one of soap's biggest names after winning a prestigious award in London.

The Bridgewater High School was talked about in the same breath as Lacey Turner and Steve McFadden on Saturday when she was named best young performer at The British Soap Awards.

Ruby has been playing Peri Lomax in Hollyoaks for two years and although it was her third time walking the red carpet for the ceremony it was her first win.

Millions watched her pick up the accolade when The British Soap Awards was broadcast on ITV on Sunday.

Ruby, from Appleton, was working on set for the Channel 4 soap as we went to press.

Her mum Vikki, who went to the ceremony with her, said: "It was an amazing night. Absolutely fantastic. Just to be nominated was an enormous honour as there are so many fabulously talented actors out there.

"To win was beyond our wildest dreams. She didn't think that she was going to win which I think you could see from her reaction.

"If someone had told us three years ago that Ruby would be in Hollyoaks and would win a soap award we would never have believed them.

"She has worked incredibly hard over the last few years and often does nine and a half hour working days.

"Ruby has to do her scenes and also keep up with her tutoring and school work. She also works nearly every day in the school holidays.

"She clearly loves every second of it though, and wouldn't change a thing. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world."

Ruby got bitten by the acting bug when she joined Warrington’s Little Stars, aged 10. The former Grappenhall Heys Primary pupil is still a member of the stage school and is now also represented by Scream Management in MediaCity.

Lauren Kelly, who runs Little Stars, added: "Ruby just showed up to her drama class a few years ago, she had never been anywhere else and now she's winning national awards.

"It's an amazing experience and opportunity for her to be doing all of these things while she's a part of Hollyoaks. I can't wait to see one of my students winning their first Oscar!"