Actress and model Gemma Atkinson has spoken of her “fantastic” memories of childhood holidays in Kirkcudbright.

The 30-year-old Emmerdale star has links to the region through her late father David who was born in the area.

Atkinson, herself, grew up in Bury but remembers fondly her time spent in the Stewartry.

She said: “We used to have a caravan up in Kirkcudbright which we would go to every Easter and in the summer holidays.

“I have fantastic memories of bonny Scotland and I hope to visit again soon.

“My father’s side of the family are all from Scotland. They were from Dumfries.

“I love it up there – the people are great and the scenery is something else.”

Gemma Atkinson doing the Great Manchester Cycle in 2014.

Gemma, who has also appeared in Hollyoaks, The Bill, Casualty, Waterloo Road and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, is off screen at the moment but will be returning to Emmerdale in the near future.