Grace Cassidy leaving the Dales

Grace Cassidy has confirmed she is leaving Emmerdale after three years playing teenager Hannah Barton.

The 19-year-old actress' departure follows the announcement that co-star Sophie Powles, who plays her older sister Holly, is also leaving the soap.

Grace said: ''Working on Emmerdale has been one of the best periods of my life. After three years I have made so many friends here and I am going to miss them so much.

"However, I felt the time was right to move on as I still have so much to learn. I can't thank Stuart [Blackburn, producer] and the team enough for making me feel so welcome. I will never forget the opportunity I was given.''

The Bartons have been torn apart by a series of troubles, from Holly's drug addiction, to mum Moira's affair with Cain Dingle and most recently the death of dad John in a car accident, but Hannah has managed to remain the most sane person in the family.

It is yet to be revealed how student Hannah will be written out of the show.