EAST Lancashire's 'Fame Family' are celebrating the latest addition to their long list of showbiz credits with another television role.

Young actor Samuel Aston, nine, is following in the footsteps of big sister Emily, 20, and brothers Thomas, 15, and Joseph, 12, with a part in ITV1 police series The Bill.

He appeared in episodes last week and will feature in more episodes next week and others in the future.

Sam is enjoying his time in the limelight. He said: "It is really good. I like it a lot. It's cool because when I go to school, all my friends say that they saw me on the telly last night.

"I am definitely going to go into acting. My dad says I can do whatever I want when I grow up, so I am going to stick with acting after school."

While Sam and proud mum Janet have been in London filming for the role, Haslingden High School pupil Joseph is waiting to hear if he will be starring in a new television advert with Manchester United and England soccer hero David Beckham.

Joseph took part in a photo shoot for the newly-launched Marks and Spencer clothes range last month, which is being endorsed by Beckham.

Janet, who has nine children, said: "We were in London this weekend filming for the Bill which Samuel thinks it is great. He loves acting.

"There is also the possibility that Joseph could be taking part in an advert starring David Beckham but that is still being discussed."

Janet said acting has helped give her children a good start in life.

She said: "It is a really good thing for them. The money they get goes into a bank account for when they are older." The roll of honour for the family, of Bankside Close, Bacup, began when Emily scooped a starring role in the controversial TV adaptation of Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Accrington-born author Jeanette Winterson.

The series was filmed in Accrington and Rossendale and Emily later became the youngest actress ever to be nominated for a BAFTA award. She was just seven years old.

She went on to appear in Coronation Street as Becky, the daughter of Des Barnes's girlfriend Claire.

She was a leading light in Rossendale's youth drama society RAYS and has most recently toured the country in a starring role of the stage play Rita, Sue and Bob Too, which was made into a hugely successful film some years ago.

Older brother Thomas, 15, has been in ITV1 medical drama Peak Practice while sister Elizabeth, 17, is also on an the books of a local acting and stage agency.

All four -- Thomas, Elizabeth, Joseph and Samuel -- are currently in rehearsals for Christmas pantomine Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

In The Bill, Samuel, who attends Thorn Primary School, Bacup, plays Ryan Best, the relative of a police constable in the show.

He is also starring in a TV advert for Dairylea cheese spread being screened at the moment.

Joseph also plays Oscar in ITV1 rural drama Where the Heart Is and is currently in talks about the advert with 'Becks' for the footballer's new Marks and Spencer clothing range.

The opportunity follows a secret shoot for the launch of the collection in Stockport.

The photographs of 'Becks', Joseph and a group of other boys are currently on show in Marks and Spencer stores in Lancashire and across the rest of the UK.