A CHARITY in the North-East is offering up to ten comedy writers the chance to have their sketches professionally performed on stage.

The Sunday for Sammy Trust, whose bi-annual shows at Newcastle City Hall started in 2000, help people to get established in the performing arts.

Some recipients of grants from Sunday for Sammy have already made remarkable progress in the performing arts.

Actor Lee Armstrong has the lead role in the touring production of Warhorse, musician Emily Hoile is second harpist in the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and actress Alice Stokoe has the lead role in the West End Production of Mama Mia.

Working with Ed Waugh and the Laffalang sketch troupe, whose regular shows attract up to 400 people at the Westovian Theatre in South Shields, Sunday For Sammy producer Ray Laidlaw is inviting anyone from the region who can pen a funny sketch to try their hand.

Mr Laidlaw, who was the original drummer of Tyneside-based legends Lindisfarne, said: “The Laffalang is a fantastic way to introduce new writers to the professional world. To have your work performed live by actors is a huge thrill.”

Any North East-based aspiring writer is invited to submit a sketch and the theme for the competition is "spring".

Mr Laidlaw said: “It can be any aspect of the season. We're looking for concise material, written by individuals or pairs, that hits the funny bone. Entrants can be aged from 16 to 116. By the same token, we wouldn't discriminate against anyone over 116 from entering."

Jason Cook and Gavin Webster, both leading lights of the North-East comedy scene who are now making waves nationally, will judge the initial entries.

The judges will select up to ten people to go forward to a day school at The Stand Comedy Club in Newcastle in July that will be run by Ed Waugh and Laffalang producer Gareth Hunter and attended by members of the regular Sunday for Sammy cast.

That will be followed by a second day school at The Stand in August during which sketches, written at the first school, will be rehearsed and then performed by professional actors to an invited audience that will include industry professionals.

Mr Laidlaw added: “Who knows, some sketches might end up being performed at the next Laffalang and if someone exceptional emerges, he or she will be invited to write a five-minute sketch for inclusion in the 2016 Sunday For Sammy show.”

Sketches should be between 500 words and 1,000 words maximum and submitted to Ray Laidlaw at info@sundayforsammy.org

Check www.sundayforsammy.org for the competition details and rules.