A WRITER has created a television drama based on his experiences as a social worker.

Tiger Aspect, which produced The Vicar of Dibley, Teachers and Mr Bean is developing Turning Point, an eight-episode series written by Paul Arrowsmith.

The 43-year-old, from Darlington, based the series on his life as a social worker, a traumatic period that led to him being with diagnosed with clinical post traumatic stress disorder.

His illness proved to be a turning point in his life when his psychiatrist suggested returning to college as therapy.

He studied a performing arts course and AS-level film studies at Darlington College of Technology and has become a full-time writer.

He said: "I was doing well studying as an actor, but then my Darlington College tutor Andy Willoughby read some of my work and said if I could write like that, what was I doing acting.

"When I was 12, I remember turning to my mam and saying I was going to write for television one day. But it was Andy who gave me the prod in the right direction."

Published: 10/04/2004