ACTRESS Denise Welch turned celebrity storyteller at a bookstore yesterday.

The North-East-born former star of Coronation Street and Soldier, Soldier, was at the storytelling event at Waterstones, at the MetroCentre.

She read extracts from The Shayped series of books, which help children in their maths and geometry studies.

They are the creation of StoryChest Ltd, a partnership of Sonia McDonnell, from Washington, and Jeanette Duffy, of Ouston, near Chester-le-Street, with illustrations by Mrs Duffy's husband, Paul.

Apart from the entertainment value, the Shaypeds provide a fun way to learn about shape and space.