AN amateur theatre director is back doing the job he signed up for after 40 years at the helm.

Retired art teacher Walter Howell, 79, was among the founding members of Sedgefield Players in the late 1960s and joined to develop his interest in set design.

However, when the group, based in Sedgefield, County Durham, decided to stage its first play a production director was needed and Mr Howell took on the challenge.

He has gone on to direct hundreds of plays, ranging from comedies and pantomimes, to thought provoking productions tackling serious issues.

But Mr Howell’s first love has always been painting and, with his 80th birthday approaching, he decided to hand over the reins to Thomas Guest, 30, a professional actor who has been a member of Sedgefield Players since he was 13-years-old.

Mr Howell said he had enjoyed choosing and directing the plays but was looking forward to concentrating on set design again.

“I knew I was leaving the players in safe hands,” he added.

Mr Guest’s first production, Entertaining Angels runs at Sedgefield Parish Hall from tonight (Thursday, March 26) until Saturday, March 28, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £6 for adults or £5 for concessions from 01740-621771 or sedgefieldplayers.co.uk