FROM murder in the library to jealous bridesmaids and deathly magicians, one former journalist who turned her talents to scriptwriting is seeing the fruits of her creative labour.

Sara West writes all her murder mystery scripts from her home in the sleepy village of Gainford, Teesdale and watches them come to life with a team of actors who perform in venues across the North-East with her business Tall Tales Mysteries.

And now the 52-year-old and her team are in the running for an accolade after being shortlisted for the Rural Business Awards.

Along with four other businesses, the Tall Tales team have been shortlisted for the North’s Best Creative or Media-based Business.

Mrs West said: “We’re so excited to be shortlisted with the four other creative businesses. The awards ceremony doesn’t take place until October but just being recognised like this is a great compliment.

“It’s also a great recognition of my team of talented actors. Obviously I couldn’t do what I do without them but every time I give them a new character it’s amazing to see how they pick up my script and turn it into a great night out for our guests up and down the North-East."

The Rural Business Awards recognises businesses operating up and down the country in rural Britain and the Tall Tales Mysteries actors and nights out are often booked in rural locations, bringing in new and repeat visitors to venues and often selling out venues.

The former Northern Echo journalist loves Agatha Christie plots and good old-fashioned crime and mystery stories; putting the focus of her business on “awfully British murder mysteries”.

Mrs West said she began her business with mysteries for children, which she still enjoys, but was approached by ladies last year who asked her to write one for their Women's Institute.

She said she had so much fun doing it that she decided to develop her business to cater for adults and it has gone from strength to strength.

Now she has two teams of actors and enjoys writing plots with a mix of characters.

Her eldest son, Aidan West, is also studying acting and hopes to fill some of his mother's roles when he is finished.

Some of Mrs West's most popular tales she has written include Murder and Sparkling Wine which is set in the 1930s and features Lord Jolyon Jape and his wife, Lady Cecily. The couple invite guests to Mocksomer Manor where they are hosting their annual celebration and their butler has served his last glass of sparkling wine when a murder takes place.

Mrs West said: “We’ve got some fun murder mystery nights coming up including one on the Wensleydale Railway, the fabulous Garden Rooms at Tennants where we are fast gaining a reputation for putting on a great night out and we’re helping the Derwent Walk Inn near Consett put on two murder mystery nights to help fundraise for a cancer unit at a local hospital.

“And we’ll be in Bolton in October for the North Region Rural Business Awards ceremony where win, lose or draw we’ll have a great time learning more about the amazing businesses all based in rural locations.”

For more information about the business visit talltalesmysteries.com or contact Mrs West by calling 07833715504 or email sara@talltalesmysteries.com