MUSEUM visitors can now take a look behind the scenes to see how Catherine Cookson's best-selling novels have been adapted for television.

Catherine Cookson: Page to Screen will run at South Shields Musem and Art Gallery until November 10.

It is a hands-on, family exhibition, which takes a look at how 18 of Dame Catherine's 100 best-selling novels have been transferred to the screen.

It will cover areas including scriptwriting, location hunting, costumes, special effects and filming.

There will be a special focus on the most recent adaptation, A Dinner of Herbs, which was shown on ITV last year.

Debra Stephenson, who played Kate Roystan in A Dinner of Herbs, officially opened the exhibition yesterday.

Debra is currently starring in the hard-hitting television drama Bad Girls as jailbird Michelle Dockley.

She said: "I am delighted to be opening the Page to Screen exhibition.

"I know how much Catherine Cookson means to the North-East so I'm really pleased to have been asked.

She said she was proud to be part of bringing Dame Catherine's books to life.

Alisdair Wilson, curator of South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, said: "Catherine Cookson is one of the most popular writers in the world and this exhibition gives visitors a unique insight into the work that goes on behind the scenes to transform her books into a television programme.

"People of all ages, whether they are Cookson fans or not, will find this exhibition fascinating."

The museum is open from on Monday to Saturday 10am to 5.30pm and Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free.