A PUPPETEER has helped celebrate the 350th anniversary of the spiky character to whom he owes his livelihood – Mr Punch.

Brian Llewellyn, from Darlington, has been performing puppet shows around the region for the past 35 years.

Yesterday was 350 years to the day since 17th Century diarist Samuel Pepys wrote about an Italian puppet show he had seen in London’s Covent Garden.

It is from that performance that the traditional Punch and Judy show, still a staple of children’s birthday parties and summer fairs, is thought to have grown.

Mr Llewellyn comes from a family of entertainers, having followed in the footsteps of his father, Billy, a well-known comic entertainer and former Darlington councillor.

Brian started performing Punch and Judy shows in 1977, as part of the Queen’s silver jubilee celebrations.

He and his wife, Marilyn, travel the region performing at schools, shows and parties under the name Llewellyn for Fun.

Still going strong as the Queen’s diamond jubilee approaches, he said interest in his shows had taken off ahead of the occasion.

He said: “It’s been fantastic – I wish there was a jubilee every weekend.

“We have a lot of bookings in schools in the run-up to the jubilee and the weekend itself it chockablock.

“Then there’s a few street parties, clubs and societies too – the level of interest has been unbelievable.”

Now 58, Mr Llewellyn, whose contribution to the arts was recognised at the Pride of Darlington awards earlier this year, says he plans to maintain his workload for as long as he can.

The grandfather-of-seven said: “I will only pack it in when the children stop laughing or I can’t manage it any more. I am starting to feel my age a little bit.”

Llewellyn for Fun will perform three shows at the Pease monument, in Darlington town centre, on Saturday.

The free shows start at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm. On Sunday, there will be a free children’s party, to mark Mr Punch’s birthday, in the Railway Tavern, in High Northgate. Places are limited. To book, call the pub on 01325-464963.

* For more information about Mr Llewellyn, visit punchandjudy.biz