A student in Dartford has landed the east end role of a lifetime by joining the cast of Eastenders.

Clair Norris, a Higher National Certificate student at the Miskin Theatre at North Kent College, Oakfield Lane, will join the cast of the BBC One soap.

She will play Bernadette, part of the new Taylor family who will be moving to the square later this year.

Clair said: “I'm so excited to go on a journey with my character Bernadette, and to be a part of the Taylor family.

“I never in a million years thought my first TV role would be in EastEnders. It's surreal but I'm ever so grateful to be given the opportunity and I can't wait to see the audience’s reaction to us."

The Taylors will be made up of mum Karen, and her kids Keanu, Riley, Chatham and Bernadette.

They will also be joined by Bronson the dog and Rooney the bearded dragon.

Speaking to the Radio Times, a spokesman for the show said: “Bernadette has little interest in anything other than sitting around the house and dreaming of being famous."

Sean O'Connor, executive producer at EastEnders, also told the Radio Times: “I’m hugely excited at the arrival of Karen and her family in Albert Square. They’re noisy, brash and not to be messed with."