ITV yesterday announced the casting of a new Emmerdale character, a mother for wayward foster daughter of Eric and Val Pollard, Amy Wyatt.

Laura Norton will appear on our screens later in the year, playing Kerry Wyatt, Amy’s (Chelsea HalfPenny) unreliable mother, after a chance encounter reunites the two.

Amy gets the surprise of her life when, out celebrating her 18th birthday, she starts flirting with a man who later turns out to be her mum’s boyfriend!

Amy has always been very cagey about her mum, and viewers will have seen how, at Christmas, she threw away a card that had been sent to her by her absent parent, so when the man’s identity is revealed, Amy is less than pleased with the situation.

However, according to the official ITV website, Kerry takes full advantage of the situation and soon turns up looking for her daughter, intent on fighting to get her back in her life.

According to the site, Kerry was left heartbroken when Amy was taken into care and is desperate to rebuild bridges, but the stubborn Geordie lass is more determined than ever that she wants nothing to do with her real mother, who was a heavy drinker, and is insistent that Val (Charlie Hardwick) and Eric (Chris Chittell) are her parents now.

“I am delighted to have been given this role” says Laura “Emmerdale has always been my favourite soap and it’s a joy and privilege to be joining the team.

“Kerry is an amazing, unpredictable and appealing character and I will have a lot of fun getting to grips with her. I have met up with Chelsea, who plays Amy and I can’t wait to play her reckless mum.”

Series producer Stuart Blackburn added: “Laura is a fantastic actor and it’s a delight to welcome her to the show.

“Her character Kerry is sure to liven things up for Amy, Val, Eric and everyone who crosses her path.”

Kerry starts filming in June and viewers will see her first arrival on screen in mid July.

Watch Amy have her baby in the clip below:

Emmerdale can be seen week nights on ITV1/ITV1 HD.