A DRAMA teacher has been recognised as a star in his own right by being presented with a top playwright's award.

As well as teaching at the Stagecoach drama school's Darlington and Yarm branches, Philip Harrison is gaining a reputation as a writer.

For one of his latest projects, he teamed up with two fellow members of the Cleveland Theatre Company to pen a children's play entitled Under the Apple Tree.

It so impressed critics at the Barclays Theatre Awards, held in London last month, that they judged it best play for young people.

Mr Harrison, 36, of Billingham, said: "It's a play for the under-fives, which is in itself unusual, and the reason it won the award is because it's quite innovative."

Mr Harrison, who tests his ideas on his two children, said the play was loved by all who saw it.