Actress Anna Friel looked a picture of health as she exercised in the LA sunshine while taking her daughter Gracie for a stroll.

And lucky for the fit 32-year-old, who has found success in America with the black comedy Pushing Daisies, she had a friend to help her look after the baby while she strolled along using a dumbell.

The gorgeous star and her companion took turns pushing the three-year-old in her buggy while Miss Friel showed off her trimmed and toned physique in a tight white top and running shorts.

Lucky for some: Anna Friel gets someone else to push the buggy while she has a stretch

The Lancashire-born actress likes to take her daughter with her when exercising. She was spotted a couple of months ago leaving her trainer to push Gracie while she pounded the streets.

But this time she shared the load and managed to push the buggy part of the time and get a full work out.

Now for a spot of jogging

Despite her new flashy-life style in LA, Miss Friel has been making all efforts to keep her feet on the ground.

She and her partner, the 44-year-old actor David Thewlis, have been looking at employing a nanny from Rochdale - her home town - to ensure their daughter grows up with a Northern brogue to match their own.

On a brief trip London in March she said:  'I think it's really important to hold on to who you really are, and I am not going to let this new success change me.'

Time to take over pushing Gracie

She has signed a six-year contract to play Charlotte 'Chuck' Charles on Pushing Daisies, which has turned her into a major star.

She plays a murdered woman brought back to life by her childhood sweetheart in the hit US TV programme - the first series was screened on ITV1 in the UK this year.

And back to the dumbbells

Miss Friel made her name in the Channel 4 soap Brookside and was a late casting on the US show.

Her and co-star Lee Pace were both nominated for Golden Globes after just nine episodes of the series being screened.