AN UP and coming Norfolk-born actress is hoping to further cement her standing amongst the line up of budding British talent after starring in a hard hitting film set against last year's devastating London riots.

Jenna Harrison is among a host of home grown screen stars to feature in GBH, which is released in cinemas this week and tells the story of a London policeman with a criminal past he is trying to forget.

Jenna, who was born in Gorleston and brought up in Ormesby, stars as the girlfriend of lead character Damien.

The 29 year old, who has several TV and stage credits to her name including BBC drama Jonathan Creek and ITV mystery series Rosemary and Thyme, said working on GBH was 'great' and hopes its release will remind people of the lessons to be learnt from last year's violent riots.

Jenna said: 'I am very much looking forward to the film's release and hearing what people think of it.

'I hope it will help keep people thinking about our society and what can be done to make things better. It is a very unstable and unfair world we are living in and it is all too easy to put past events in a box as 'water under the bridge'.

'We have to keep talking and progressing and trying to improve things.'

GBH follows Damien - played by The Sweeney star Nick Nevern - a former gang member who, now on the other side of the law, is forced to chose between siding with his old friends or protecting the capital as it burns.

The film is another on a growing list of credits for Jenna, who made her professional screen debut in 2001 in feature film My Brother Tom, which she was encouraged to audition for by Harry Potter star Adrian Rawlins while at college.

Since then she has gone on to star alongside martial arts master Steven Seagal and Hollywood veteran Woody Harrelson, and with more projects in the pipeline she is hoping to have a long career on the silver screen.

Jenna said: 'My next film is a comedy set in Ireland called Where There's A Will so a very different genre all together.

'It helps to be versatile for longevity - I hope to be working well into my eighties. I just hope the British film industry continues to prosper and I am offered work.'

And despite enjoying the bright lights of Hollywood, Jenna said she often visits her home county to visit family in Beccles or enjoy a weekend by the sea at Holkham.

She added: 'I have very fond memories of the area. I actually had a strong Norfolk accent when I was little but lost it a little when I moved further south.

'But I find myself slipping back into it when I spend time with family there!'

? GBH is launched in cinemas on Friday and on DVD next Monday.