PARALYMPIC gold medal winner Tanni Grey Thompson is turning to poetry, to raise money for charity.

She will share her favourite poetry and prose and reminiscences with an audience at the Sir William Turner almshouses at Kirkleatham, Redcar, on January 11.

Proceeds from the evening will be divided between Zo's Place, the children's hospice at Normanby, of which Tanni is patron, and the almshouses.

"It provides a very special service for children and their families at the time of their greatest need," said Tanni.

BBC Radio Cleveland presenter Stewart McFarlane, who will compere the recital, said: "It's a bit like Desert Island Discs but with words instead of music scattered though the evening.''

Tickets cost £7.50 from Zo's Place or from Guisborough Bookshop on (01287) 610179 by credit card during business hours. The evening begins at 7.30pm, doors open 7.00pm. Tickets limited to 100.