A DARWEN-BORN actor has become a fan of Dr Who after starring alongside the current time lord played by David Tennant.

Anna Hope, who grew up in Edgworth, landed the role as Novice Hame, a feline nun, in David Tennant's first episode after becoming the 10th Dr Who following Christopher Eccleston's departure in 2005.

The 31-year-old star, who was a pupil at Edgworth Primary School before attending Turton High School, was invited to the fourth annual Dr Who convention in Darwen to share her experiences with avid fans of the show.

Anna gave an interview to the 50 plus fans who attended Dr Who Day, held at Bridge Street Sports and Social Club on Saturday.

It was organised by Graham Groom, a member of the Dr Who Autograph Collectors Club, to raise money for the Darwen branch of Cancer Research UK.

Anna, who lived in Edgworth until she was 16 when she moved to Manchester with her family, said: "I was only one of 20 other girls who were auditioned for the part in the first place and it was a lovely compliment to be offered the job even though I wore a latex cat mask for the show.

"David Tennant, who plays Dr Who, was brilliant. He is just such a great actor and makes you act to your best.

"I was in make-up for three hours while they put the mask on and I had to have a new one made every day."

Anna returned as the cat nun in last year's episode Gridlock with David Tennant.

Anna, who now lives in London, has worked with both of the Dr Who's assistants, played by Billie Piper and Freema Agyeman.

She said: "Filming the first episode, New Earth, I was on the set for two weeks and the second one was filmed in five days. There's lots of waiting around.

"David Tennant is my favourite Dr Who, I wasn't a fan of the show when I was younger.

"I remember Tom Baker playing the doctor when I was little.

"I first started acting when I was little I was always putting on plays at home with my sisters.

"We would write them, make costumes and perform them.

"I joined the Octagon Youth Theatre when I was 10 and I have been acting from then."

Anna Hope was also joined by other cast members and writers at the one-day convention.

Anneke Wills, who played the Doctor's assistant Polly, gave an interview, as did Jennie Linden, who played Barbara in the film Dr Who and the Daleks, and Linda Clark, a fan of the show who has starred in Emmerdale and That Peter Kay Thing.

A dozen fans entered into the spirit of the day and turned up dressed up as some of the long-running show's characters, including the always-popular Daleks.