An East Lancashire actor has spoken of his thrill at portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in the heart of Charles Dickens' 'manor'.

Former Nelson Edge End High pupil John Simm, star of Life on Mars and Grace, will headline The Old Vic's seasonal production of A Christmas Carol.

And the 54-year-old says it's an "honour" to play Scrooge at the venue, based in London's Southwark, where a young Dickens lodged while his father was in debtors' prison.

In an interview on the Old Vic website, he said: "I have loved the story since I was a kid so I know the story really well.

"It's a ghost story, it's a story of redemption, it highlights social injustice. It's a classic story.

"I have read it four or five times in my lifetime and watch it every year."

Simm, who also played Dr Who baddie The Master, was originally a fan of the Albert Finney musical version of A Christmas Carol but admits as he's got older the classic Alistair Sim film rendering is now his favourite.

"The wonderful thing about doing it at The Old Vic, you know, is it's Dicken's manor, that's his stomping ground and we are right in the centre of it. This is where it was born and that makes it really exciting for me.

"I can't think of anywhere else I would like to do it. It's an honour."

He also hopes people will take the life lessons Dickens offers from the traditional festive tale.

His love affair with acting began at his Nelson school, under drama teacher Brian Wellock before he went on to study performing arts at Blackpool and Fylde College.

His early starring roles were in Guys and Dolls and West Side Story at the Blackpool Grand.

Produced by Matthew Warchus, the performance of A Christmas Carol at The Old Vic has been adapted for the stage by Jack Thorne, who has worked on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and His Dark Materials.

Simm's run begins on November 9 and goes through to January 4.