A NORTH-EAST playwright is appealing for family members or fans of Victorian music hall star Ned Corvan who have information or documents about him to attend a public meeting.

Ed Waugh is keen to document the life and times of Ned - the first professional singer/songwriter from the region - on stage.

The playwright is hosting a Ned Corvan get-together at South Shields Library in South Shields town centre, at noon Saturday, November 21.

Mr Waugh said: "Ned was born in 1827 and died in 1865. He was a contemporary of Geordie Ridley (Blaydon Races) and Joe Wilson (Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny) and arguably the greatest singer/songwriter of the triumvirate.

"He wrote songs that had resonance with working class people and that are still relevant today.”