A soap star has nominated cancer sufferer Kelly Turner for a Pride of Britain Award.

Lucy Fallon, who plays Bethany Platt in Coronation Street, picked the 16-year-old after meeting her and her parents at the TV show’s set in Manchester three weeks ago.

Ms Fallon selected Kelly for the unsung hero category.

Kelly’s father Martin Turner said: “I am excited to say the least, Lucy was so nice.”

Kelly, with both her parents Martin and Linda, had travelled to the set with Martin bringing flags and wristbands for the fundraising campaign.

They had made contact with members of the cast through friends on Twitter and the actors had learned about Kelly’s plight.

Actor Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, visited the family at the studios during a day off.

Mr Turner said: “We were given a walk around the studios and it was brilliant.”

The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards ceremony is in October and Ms Fallon told the national newspaper: “I’d like to nominate a young girl called Kelly Turner who I got to meet a couple of weeks ago.

“She is 16 and was diagnosed last October with a rare type of cancer that gave her two years to live. She’s now raising money to pay for £1 million treatment to save her life.”

Kelly is even going to make a brief appearance as an extra on a forthcoming edition. She will be seen walking down the street past the Roy’s Rolls as Bethany comes out of the cafe.

It will be shown on the second part of the Friday double episode at 8.30pm of Friday, September 9.

Kelly was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer last October and needs the money for life-saving surgery in New York.

All summer there has been a mass campaign in Dover to raise money for here with countless fundraising events held.

She has attracted the attention of another big name, rock star Bryan Adams who met her and her family at his concert in Canterbury on August 13 and asked fans to donate to the cause.

To find out more about Kelly Turner’s campaign, search her name on Facebook, check out the hashtag #DoingItForKelly on Twitter or visit her fundraising page.