A SALISBURY-born thespian is hoping his new role in the Dales will make his face a regular sight on television.

Martyn Scott-Thomas, 25, has been filming in Leeds this week for his part as farmer Sid Tyler in the popular soap Emmerdale.

He said: "It's for one episode and should be on television in about six weeks.

"I can't reveal too much, but my character turns up to reveal a bit of a scandal to Paddy.

"I'm very excited, but it's surreal walking into that village and talking to people I have seen on TV."

Mr Scott-Thomas was born and grew up in Allington with his mum, and his dad lived in Salisbury.

He went to St Joseph's School and Burgate Sixth Form, before moving up to London when he was 17.

He studied for a year at the London School of Musical Theatre, then trained for three years at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, in the same class as Connie Fisher, winner of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Mr Scott-Thomas has appeared on television in a Crimewatch reconstruction and a short film, but has mostly done theatre work, including Carousel, in London, and The Sperm Monologues, in London and Edinburgh.

"I want to go into TV - that is my main goal - and I'm hoping this will spur on more TV work," he said.

Lovers of the arts may well recognise Mr Scott-Thomas' face as he was in the singing group En Masse for two years, did workshops with Stage '65 from a young age and volunteered at Salisbury Arts Centre.

He said: "I've always acted and always sung - I trained in musical theatre as well as acting.

"I've taken part in events for Salisbury Festival and have sung on stage at the City Hall."

Mr Thomas said he has had some great achievements so far and he hopes to go on to bigger and better things, but he will always have a soft spot for Salisbury.

"I'm proud of my roots and one of my goals is to return to Salisbury and perform in the Playhouse," he said.

"Having come from there, I think it would be really nice to do that."