Memories of Bishop Auckland during the Second World War are so powerful for semi-retired chartered engineer Brian Joslin that he's written a play and is looking for a North-East company to put on a performance.

Former pitman Brian moved to Northamptonshire many years ago and now lives in Guilsborough -- near the Princess of Wales's family home at Althorp. He decided to write his play, called Jontie's War, after seeing his local dramatic society perform Laurie Lee's Cider With Rosie.

Brian, who was born in Sunderland and brought up in Bishop Auckland, had already written his first book called There's A War On Pet -- Boyhood Memories of County Durham in 1993. With a foreword by Dr Frank Atkinson, the founder of Beamish Museum, all 3,000 copies sold out and Brian now sells directly from his website www.jossiefred.freeserve.co.uk

Jontie's War deals with the childhood memories of a man returning to Bishop Auckland after many years of living elsewhere. Brian said: "My book gave me a rich pool of characters but, at an early stage, I decided to make my play a work of fiction to allow my creative spirit to fly free.

"I think the play may interest an amateur company more because there are quite a few characters, but I'd be delighted if a professional drama company decided to take on the production."

Despite leaving school at 15, Brian returned as a mature student to Darlington College and the University of Newcastle to qualify as an engineer. He managed his own consulting engineering practice for many years. Brian and wife Audrey, who is also from County Durham, raised two sons in Northants. The playwright can be contacted on (01604) 740229.