The actress who will take the lead role of young Helen Forrester in Twopence To Cross The Mersey has been announced by producers of the new stage play.

Open auditions were held last week at the Epstein Theatre Liverpool and Widnes born Maria Lovelady was chosen from almost 50 aspiring actresses who were all keen to take the play’s lead role.

Maria will now join the team and tour the play in Spring 2015, when it visits four Merseyside theatres between the 10th March and 23rd April, 2015.