TALL tales will be taking place across the North-East next week as a campaign to revive an ancient art gets under way.

The Society for Storytelling has organised a festival from Saturday to February 5 to encourage people to enjoy ripping yarns.

National Storytelling Week will be taking place in schools, libraries, hospitals, museums, day centres, arts centres and theatres.

Del Reid, chairman of the Society for Storytelling, said: "Storytelling is very powerful and can change people's lives.

"It is very old and probably predates any other art. It was by telling stories that people shared their beliefs, their ideas about social interaction, their histories and genealogy.

"We all need to read books, but we must also keep alive the art of telling."

More information on National Storytelling Week is on the website www.sfs.org.uk