Touching down at Heathrow's Terminal 5 last week, Harrow girl Laura Kearsey took a deep breath and thought about how her life had changed over the past eight months.

Having just returned from Tinseltown after securing a role in a feature film, the future is looking bright for this promising young starlet.

The actress, who is back to spend Christmas with her family, is hoping to hit the big time and cannot wait to start filming in Hollywood next year.

She said: "A few days ago I was sitting in 80 degree heat on a beach in Malibu, so coming back to the cold and wet is certainly a bit of a culture shock."

Born at Northwick Park Hospital, 27-year-old Laura attended Rooks Heath High School and Weald College before pursuing an acting career at Goldsmiths University of London and the Drama Studio, London.

She has guest starred in ITV's hit drama The Bill, playing a mentally challenged robbery victim, and battled it out against three other actresses for a role in Bad Girls.

Sadly, she lost out that time, but began touring the UK with The Birmingham Stage Company, starring in one of its sell-out productions.

Despite the gruelling touring schedule and unpredictability of showbusiness Laura has landed a role in a feature film, called Red is the Colour, which will be shot in Los Angeles in June 2009.

She said: "It is based on a webisode series available online from next week, called jakesplace.tv, and is a bit like Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

"It is shot on a webcam so it is very flyon-the-wall. We had a blast filming it. Plus I got to keep my British accent and inject a bit of sarcasm and good old British humour into the script."

Since arriving in Hollywood Laura has experienced a lot in a short space of time. She said: "I've seen history made with the election, forest fires every night, my first earthquake and casually had a coffee with actor Adam Sandler.

"Adam was sat in the diner opposite my apartment one night and I was in need of some late night munchies. He had his leg in a cast because he had hurt himself filming and had the biggest plate of Banana Creme pie I have ever seen."

Laura has also appeared in several short films, which are being entered into film festivals in California next year.

She said: "Everyone believes that Hollywood is impossible to crack, and there is a ton of work if you are prepared for the long haul.

"If you are character actress or have a different look it can be much easier. So far I have been cast as a meths addict, a kooky librarian and a British goth. Everyone has to start somewhere."

And while Oscar nominations are still far off, Laura has picked up some bar work shifts over the Christmas period at The William Jolle pub in Northwood, and The Village Inn in Rayners Lane.

She said: "What better way to keep your feet on the ground than being up to your ears in beer and elbow grease."

Watch Jakesplace.tv online at www.jakesplace.tv   from Monday.