AN actor from Tyneside it attempting to unleash creativity during the pandemic by inspiring children to write their own story.

Stephen Sullivan runs a pub in South Shields, and is part time actor taking part in pantomimes and theatre. With performances halted and pubs closed Mr Sullivan has found a new way to connect to his audience and inspire people.

He has set up a project called ‘Story time with Stevey’ in which he livestreams and reads stories from David Walliams to Roald Dahl.

Mr Sullivan said: “I started the project when the schools closed, I love reading and always have done, I wanted to inspire new readers as well as give parents a bit of rest-bite.

I read the stories on a live stream it’s a good way for me to continue doing performances, I’ve had a great time doing it and I’ve had a lot of support."

Mr Sullivan has created a competition to try and get people back into writing. He said: “It then occurred to me that when I was a child I loved to write my own stories. So I launched the project to see if anyone can come up with a good story.”

The only rule to the competition is that the story must feature a ‘magic hat’ but everything else is up to the writer. The writers can be as creative with the concept as possible and if it is successful will run the competition again with a different item.

The winners of the competition will get their stories read out by some celebrity guests in a Jackanory style. So far the confirmed celebrity readers are, Jade Thirlwall from Little Mix, David Potts from Ibiza Weekender, Nina West from RuPauls Drag Race and Davey Hopper a North East Panto Favourite.

The competition which is open to both children and adults ends on April 17.