WHEN Blackburn-born showbiz old-stager Harold Rothwell had youngsters completely captivated back in his home town well over 50 years ago, he wasn't much older than those in his audience.

For Harold, now 68, was still a first-year pupil at St Peter's Boys' Secondary Modern School when he put on a puppet show -- his first-ever public performance -- for children of Blackburn Orphanage and of employees at the giant Foster, Yates and Thom foundry in the works canteen.

Starting off with a set of glove puppets that his grandfather had borrowed from a friend, he soon went on to become a Punch and Judy man after buying the dolls once owned by Accrington ventriloquist Navan O'Reilly.

He is still remembered for the shows he gave with them in East Lancashire parks and at children's parties.

An inevitable next step was adding ventriloquism to his act -- which featured his dummies, cheeky boy Billy and smart and slick Johnny, with whom he is pictured as a 20-year-old in December, 1954, when he appeared in the first variety show put on a Blackburn's old Grand Theatre after it abandoned its long run of repertory seasons.

Harold was also on the Grand's bill when he and other local acts put on its very last production, Blackburn Takes A (Final) Bow, in 1956 -- a week-long variety spectacular that brought the curtain down on live theatre in East Lancashire.

But, under his stage name Harold Wells, his career as an entertainer carried on running -- taking him from holiday camps, pubs and clubs to Russia, Malta and Spain where he was entertainments director for 16 years for the late Sir Fred Pontin's group of hotels before returning to join the Bluecoats making fun for campers at the company's UK holiday centres.

Still going strong and based at Blackpool, Harold is eager to help young people who, like he was all those years ago when he started off in showbiz in a Blackburn works canteen, are keen to work in theatre and entertainment.

He is holding one-day workshops at the seaside resort for for newcomers and seasonal acts on February 16 and March 3.

Those interested can call 0797 448 6293 for details.