A rising screen star from East Yorkshire has scooped a best actor award at a Hollywood film festival – and her star quality is rubbing off on York tourism.

Eleven-year-old Francesca Turton, from Market Weighton, has been making a name for herself in music videos, short films, TV commercials and the theatre.

Now tributes to her talent have been paid by the Los Angeles-based Women’s Independent Film Festival for her role in Moving On.

She is one of two lead characters in the short film about a young girl growing up and parting company with her imaginary friend.

The story is seen from the point of view of the imaginary friend - Franscesa, whose latest role is as two hologram characters in York Council’s Tour app.

As Flora, she describes the hardships and dangers of life in the slums, while as Edwina she talks about the rising prosperity of the middle classes in 19th century York.

She said: “I'm really interested in history, it's my favourite subject, so I liked playing a rich and poor Victorian.

“It was a lot of fun getting dirty for Flora's role and even though the clothes were raggy they were more comfortable than Edwina’s.”

York Council Leader James Alexander said: “Francesca’s film award confirms the quality of the technology and performances that make our app an amazing experience.”