A NEW book by a film enthusiast from the region has gone on sale in the US.

George Orwell on Screen, by freelance journalist David Ryan, from Hartlepool, looks at moves and TV shows inspired by the legendary British author.

Orwell, an Old Etonian socialist, whose real name was Eric Blair, died aged 46 in 1950 but did not achieve fame until the mi-1950s when producers dramatised his novels Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm.

Now Mr Ryan has combined his interests in George Orwell and the entertainment industry by interviewing actors, writers, directors and producers with Orwell-related tales to tell.

“Originally I planned to self-publish the book,” he explained, “but when I tried to crowdfund it on the website Kickstarter, not many people seemed interested.

“The American academic publisher McFarland asked if I’d like to take a more traditional route, and I’m very glad they did."

The 255-page book, available through online retailers in the UK, concentrates on 21 adaptations, documentaries and docudramas, dating back to 1953. Highlights include the BBC’s controversial 1954 play of Nineteen Eighty-Four, starring Peter Cushing.