ACCLAIMED North-East novelist and agony aunt Denise Robertson is turning her talents to the stage and the world of the musical.

Her maiden offering in the field, Fine, Fine, Fine!, went down well when played to packed houses at South Shields' Customs House, in 2002.

It is being revived and up-dated, with two new songs added, for its second run, starting tonight at Durham's Gala Theatre.

The show, a modern-day story of romance spanning the social divide, is set in the North-East and features stars from the region, including Daymon Britton and Sarah Lawton, both regulars on television series Byker Grove.

Ms Robertson will be at the opening night tonight, but there will be no post-show celebrations as she is travelling overnight to London for her regular slot on tomorrow's This Morning programme, on ITV.

She aims to put a second musical together next year with Peter and Dean Robertson - who are unrelated, but who wrote the score for Fine, Fine, Fine! The new show will also be set in the region, a three-act performance set in 1945, 1970 and the present day.

l Fine, Fine, Fine! runs from tonight to Saturday, at 7.30pm each night, and 2pm matinees tomorrow and Saturday. Ticket details are available from the Gala box office on 0191-332 4041.