NEWPORT schoolboy Darragh Mortell has clinched a key role in hit children's TV drama Tracy Beaker.

Darragh, 14, of St Mark's Crescent, beat thousands of other young hopefuls to get the role.

Set in a London children's home, the award-winning programme follows the fortunes of Tracy and her fellow inhabitants.

Darragh plays Crash, a cynical and sometimes volatile young artist. "Crash is quite an angry character," said Darragh. "And I often had to smash windows and kick things over.

"The glass was special sugar glass so I never hurt myself, but it was great fun to do."

A pupil at Caerleon Comprehensive School, Darragh has become something of a local celebrity.

But this is not his first taste of the limelight. He has also appeared in the Channel Four drama Beacons, and is a member of Cardiff drama group The Workshop.

Filming for the new Tracy Beaker series took place in Cardiff where Darragh and the other 10 young cast members hit it off immediately.

To ensure their schoolwork didn't suffer, the young actors had to undergo hours of tutoring each day in-between takes.

Darragh's parents, Margaret and Eoghan, are keen that their son continues his education. "My dad wants me to make sure I have something to fall back on," said Darragh. "So I'll carry on acting as well as going to school."

The new series of Tracy Beaker begins on September 25 at 4.15pm on BBC1. Ends