I'VE done some strange things in my 35 years on regional papers - but persuading a Dalek to promote my paper ranks amongst the strangest.

The Dalek was at Darlington Civic Theatre at the weekend to help promote "An Evening With Mark Gatiss".

Mark, who hails from County Durham, has written and acted in Doctor Who, as well as The League of Gentlemen, Sherlock, and Game of Thrones.

My role was to interview him on stage in front of a packed house and I couldn't resist making full use of the Dalek.

"Excuse me," I said to the Dalek in the theatre foyer. "Do you think you could say something for me?"

I then went on to give him his script: "Read all about it in Monday's Northern Echo, 70p from all good newsagents - or you will be exterminated."

To my delight, the Dalek obeyed and the rest is history...or possibly the future.