Town plays host to famous writer

Bill Bryson will do a heritage tour of Stockton

Travel writer Bill Bryson is to visit a Teesside town after contacting the mayor and asking for an invitation.

The US-born author got in touch with Mayor of Stockton Suzanne Fletcher to ask for a tour.

Mr Bryson, who is Durham University's 11th chancellor, said he was interested in the town's history and would go on a heritage trail on 11 October.

After the tour Mr Bryson planned to have lunch with students at Durham University's Queen's Campus.

Councillor Fletcher, said: "We are delighted to welcome Bill Bryson to Stockton and to give him a small taste of the wonderful heritage our town has to offer."

Stockton has a rich rail heritage - in 1822, the first tracks of George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway were laid near St. John's crossing, Bridge Road.

Mr Bryson succeeded the late actor Sir Peter Ustinov as chancellor in April last year.

He has written of his affection for Durham and described the north-east of England as "one of the friendliest corners of the planet".