THE hunt to find the UK's Storyteller of the Year is on, and youngster Chris Tierney, of St Bede's RC High School in Lytham, is well on his way to the title.

Reading an excerpt from Goodnight Mr Tom, by Marjorie Magorian, on to audio tape has won Chris a place in the North West finals of Speakeasy '99.

He was very shocked to find out he had been chosen from an estimated 20,000 children nationwide, telling the Citizen: "I really didn't think I'd get through, but I enjoyed the book.

"I tried my best when I had to read it aloud and I'm glad I did."

Chris, aged 12, had to get through the school's own preliminary rounds, organised by three of the staff in the English department, before he was entered into the competition.

Denise Hadley, one of the teachers who organised the preliminary rounds said: "I am delighted for Chris.

"It is a tremendous achievement, particularly considering the large geographical area covered by the North West final."

Chris will now compete against 10 others at the Trafford Centre on April 6, something he is very philosophical about, saying: "I'm not really nervous yet, but I'm sure I will be nearer the time.

"I didn't have any training for the first reading, but now I've got this far some of my teachers are going to help me to practise at break and lunch times."

And it's worth it, because if Chris gets through the regional final, he will appear in the national finals in London and be in with the chance to win huge prizes, including a shopping spree at Hamley's.

Speakeasy '99 has been organised to encourage today's multi-media kids to read and has captured the imagination of youngsters across Britain.

It is being run as the showpiece Children's competition of the National Year of Reading and is supported by such celebrities as David Ginola, Damon Hill, Cilla Black, Dawn French and Zoe Ball.

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