TEENAGER Gareth Williams was going off the rails until a TV soap helped him back on the straight and narrow.

The 16-year-old has landed a dream part in Hollyoaks after an acting course to help him steer clear of trouble.

After Gareth had a brush with the law, he was referred to the probation service. Now he is to appear in an episode of the hit teen soap and is joining an acting group in a bid to put his past behind him.

"I would probably be in prison now if it wasn't for this project," he said. "Instead, I'm going to be in Hollyoaks - it's really great, I can hardly believe it.

"I was on the way down. I had been in a bit of trouble because of problems I had in my life, but there's no way I would do anything like that now. I want to make a go of things and acting is really helping me to sort my future out."

Gareth was referred to Bolton council's inclusion project, which works with 13 to 16-year-olds to help them make a go of their lives.

Nervous

A member of the team knows a director on the Channel 4 programme, who invited Gareth to spend a day on the set - and he ended up with a speaking part alongside Bolton's other Hollyoaks actor, Andy McNair, who plays character Dan.

"I was over the moon," said Gareth. "I was very nervous and there was a lot of waiting, but it was fantastic."

"My idol is Peter Kay and hopefully I will work with him one day. I have always wanted to be an actor and now, hopefully, it will happen."

The Farnworth Inclusion Team, which is part of the council's Education and Culture Department, has also organised acting lessons for him at Orr theatrical agency in Farnworth.

Gareth said: "They've been brilliant, they really listen to you and help you."

Gareth's scenes in Hollyoaks are due to be screened on November 17.