TV soap star Graeme Hawley will be stepping away from the limelight as his wife becomes a star of the big screen.

Eliane Byrne, of Holcombe Brook, is playing the role of Mrs Perks in a stage production of Damian Cruden's Olivier Award-winning adaption of the Railway Children, which will be screened for the first time in cinemas across the country.

The production is built around a real train track and features the original locomotive from the much-loved original 1970 film.

The couple, along with their two children Audrey, aged six, and Henry, aged four, will be attending the Bury showing at Vue Cinema on Easter Monday.

Graeme, who plays John Stape in Coronation Street, has revealed that the show holds a special place in their lives.

He said: "It's a lovely performance for us because the first time Eliane did it, it was just before we got married. We have since gone on to have children of our own and she has gone back to join the show, of which most of them are the original cast.

"Both our children went to see the show in the summer and loved it, so they're looking forward to seeing it at the cinema on Monday. It's such a timeless classic, it doesn't matter what age you are, everyone seems to enjoy the story. I've seen it about six times now and still love it.

"Because of my job I see thousands of plays but this is one of, if not the best, children's show I've seen."

It first began its run in 2008 at the York Theatre Royal, before moving to London's King Cross Theatre and back to York, where once again it featured a live 60-tonne steam locomotive and Gentleman's Carriage.

Last August, a performance was recorded live there to allow audiences across the country who were unable to watch the live show, catch it on the big screen in their home town.

Graeme said: "It's nice to have it screened in Bury — it will be the first time that people who were unable to see the York and London shows will be able to see it.

"We took the kids to the cinema the other month and they were very excited when they saw their mum's name on the advert poster. They only saw it six months ago but can't wait to see it again."

The Railway Children will be screened at Vue Cinema at The Rock, Bury on Easter Monday from 3pm.