A TALENTED Burnley youngster studying at a top theatre school is to make his television debut this week.

Christopher Parkinson, 12, will make his small-screen acting bow tomorrow when he appears in comedy Mike Bassett Manager, alongside Ricky Tomlinson and Amanda Redman.

His mum, Joyce Booth, today said she was looking forward to her son's debut just days before his birthday on Sunday.

She said: "It is his first major television appearance and I can't wait.

"I have seen the trailers for the show and I am really excited."

Chris, a pupil at the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School, in London, will play a mascot for struggling Wirral County, managed by Mike Bassett played by Ricky Tomlinson, in Thursday's episode.

Joyce, who lives in Pendle Way, said Christopher, a former pupil at St Mary Magdalene's RC Primary School, would also be appearing in a drama, the Magnificent Seven, as part of the BBC's winter schedule.

The true story is about the life of mother-of-seven Jacqui Jackson whose four sons all suffer from autism.

Christopher will play Christopher Jackson in the drama which will also star Helena Bonham-Carter.

Christopher has also appeared in musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium and has recently done a voiceover for the remake of the film Oliver Twist.

He also made a film last year, Irish Jam, with Anna Friel, about an Irish village which organises a poaching competition to clear its debts.

Mike Bassett Manager will be screened on ITV at 10pm.