AN up and coming actress in line for a top award says she has much to thank a Darlington school for.

Heather Craney, nominated for a Bafta for her part in the new hit movie Vera Drake, says her time at the town's Hummersknott School did a lot to fuel her interest in acting.

The actress, who also appears alongside Julie Walters in a major TV drama this weekend, spent two years in Darlington in the Eighties.

"And I remember it well," she said. "The theatre and arts scene was going strong."

Ms Craney has been nominated in the best supporting actress category for her portrayal of Joyce, Vera Drake's pregnant sister-in-law.

"This is my first nomination and it is wonderful," she said.

Ms Craney's family moved to Darlington with her father's job at Prontaprint.

"There was a lot to do on the local arts and theatre scene and I spent a lot of time at the Arts Centre," she said. "I remember the people I met very well."

Filmed last year, Vera Drake stars Imelda Staunton and Jim Broadbent.

Set in London in 1950, it is about Vera Drake, a married mother of two who works as a cleaner and secretly arranges abortions for young girls.

The film, which has already won a clutch of awards, is Heather Craney's third with renowned director Mike Leigh.

"It is marvellous to get into films at this level and Mike Leigh has been so supportive," she said. "I have done smaller parts but nothing as intense as this."

This weekend there is more high drama as she plays Julie Walters' daughter in Ahead of the Class, a true story about the school where head teacher Philip Lawrence was stabbed.

Ms Craney, who is 33, says she thoroughly enjoyed working with Julie Walters.

Ms Craney has now been an actress for ten years, since leaving drama school, and has worked steadily in theatre. But she has always had to keep a "day job" - such as teaching - to fill in the gaps between acting work.

Now living in North London, she praised the standard of drama work at Hummersknott School.

"It was very good on the arts," she said. "My music teacher Mr McKenzie was brilliant, as were the drama and English teachers.

"My time there certainly got me interested in working in the theatre."

* The Bafta winners will be announced on February 12.