Former Northern Echo journalist John Ardagh is back in the North-East to give talks on two different topics.

The freelance writer on European affairs will speak at events organised by the Alliance Franaise de Newcastle.

Tonight, at 7pm, he will speak at the Newcastle Literary & Philosophical Society in French on the subject of how the French view their state - Tyran ou nourrice? Comment les Franais regardent leur Etat.

Tomorrow, he will give a talk in English entitled The attitudes of the French towards Europe and the rest of the world. Part of the University of Newcastle's public lecture series, it is at 5.30pm in the Curtis Auditorium of the Herschel Building.

Mr Ardagh began his career in the North-East as a journalist with The Northern Echo. He is the author of the best selling The New France, France Today, and A Tale of Five Cities.