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WILLY RUSSELL will be the first in a long line of film industry names to face the public in a series of question and answer sessions next year.

The Whiston-born writer will present a screening of the 1990 film Dancin’ Thru The Dark, an adaptation of his play Stags and Hens.

The event, at FACT in February, will raise money for the Liverpool-based Clapperboard Youth Project, which encourages young people to ｃ ｒｅａｔｅ their own films.

Next year’s participants will include Christopher Eccleston, Alan Bleasdale, Margi Clarke, Jimmy McGovern, Christine Tremarco, Stephen Graham, Nik Powell, Ricky Tomlinson and Paul Abbott.

Russell says: “I’m glad to be able to make some small contribution to a project that concerns itself with engaging the spirit and creativity of the young.

“If I was remotely still young myself, I know I would be knocking on Clapperboard’ s doors and trying to be involved.”

Dancin’ Thru The Dark is set on a night of pre-wedding celebrations. The groom’s friends end up taking the law into their own hands when they discover the bride has developed a crush on another man.

CLAPPERBOARD Presents . . . Willy Russell takes place at FACT on February 8. Tickets £10 (concs £7) from 08717 042063.