A STAR of TV soap Emmerdale is coming to East Lancashire to take part in an event for a charity which supports women.

Actress Emma Atkins, who plays notorious character Charity Dingle in the ITV soap, has confirmed she’ll be able to 'walk with' volunteers and supporters of the Lancashire Women’s Centres (LWC) during their fundraising challenge on the September 8 and 9.

LWC is inviting people to register for its #WalkWith challenge to raise vital funds and to raise awareness of the work of the charity. 

Staff, volunteers and supporters of the charity will walk up to 40 miles in two days across Lancashire, and via all five of their Women’s Centres including ones in Accrington, Blackburn and Burnley.

The walk will start in Burnley and end with a big bash at Blackpool on the Comedy Carpet outside the tower, helping to mark the centenary year of women gaining the right to vote.

Emma, who comes from Lancashire and has played Charity since 2000, said: “The spirit of community is extremely important to me and if it can enhance people’s lives for the better, especially to empower women, supporting all

elements of their mental health, bringing us together to help one another, and celebrate how brilliant we are as a species, - this can only be a truly wonderful thing. 

"I felt privileged when I was asked to lend my support to The Women’s Centres in and around Lancashire. Especially after the recent storyline I’ve been involved in. I am so excited to walk the walk and come and meet everyone who is part of such a wonderful community. See you there.”

Adele Helm, community fundraiser: ‘We’re really looking forward to walking with Emma, having her endorsement is amazing and it will help to raise awareness of our cause, encouraging more people to get involved and support us. We are really excited.

"Anybody can join them, walking as much or as little as they can. The walk will be made up of a number of sections that have been selected to be as accessible as possible.  You can #WalkWith your bestie, your mum, your brother, your work team, on your own or with our friendly team.  You can even consider taking part as a team event or completing a relay from centre to centre."

 To sign up, visit their website at www.womenscentre.org/walkwith, entry fee covers the cost of this event with the opportunity to buy LWC merchandise and to receive a free LWC #WalKWith T-shirt. Closing date for registering is August 3.