EMMERDALE star Emma Atkins, aka Charity Dingle, dropped into Leighton Hall at the weekend...to help with charity!

The star signed the hall's 'AquaDuck' which is part of a wider project supporting three major cancer charities.

The 4ft 6in Super Duck was designed by Emma, who grew up locally, and was decorated by students from the University of Central Lancashire.

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It part of a project which see 24 ducks located at different tourist spots in Lancashire.

It arrived at Leighton’s tea room gardens near Carnforth on Saturday to a reception of 20 invited guests.

The duck, already nicknamed “Giggles”, will be on display to visitors throughout the summer season.

Then in mid-October it will 'migrate' to Blackpool to be auctioned off for Macmillan, CLIC Sargent and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Emma attended Silverdale Primary school and then went on to Our Ladies in Lancaster.

Her parents still live in Silverdale and she regularly returns to see them.

Emma explained: "I felt very flattered to be asked to get involved. It is wonderful to have my duck located here, this is the area where I grew up.

"When I found out it was all to support cancer charities I knew I had to do it as we are all so closely connected to it."

Emma is best known for playing nasty Charity Dingle in Emmerdale, but she’s nothing like her character in real life.

She has shown support and admiration for the project from the start.

Said Emma: “Initially I was very daunted about coming up with a concept, but I had an inspirational moment in the middle of the night! I woke up knowing that my duck had to be a Super Duck as the design would represent how brilliantly people cope in the face of adversity."

In the next week the Duck will be formally dressed, and information will be on display about the 'AquaDucked' trail, the charities and other fun events that are taking place over the summer, such as the Duck & Dragon Boat event on August 17.