A RADIO sitcom that started off life as an internet download has been snapped up by the BBC and will be broadcast this month.

It’s Grim Up North, which follows the exploits of dodgy Roman auxiliary soldiers building Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland in AD126, has been written by Tyneside writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood.

Supported by Sunderland University, the duo called on actor friends to record the pilot episode in July for their website, which Nigel Dyson, controller of BBC Cumbria, heard and commissioned the lads to write five six-minute episodes.

Starring Dale Meeks, Dean Logan, Gary Kitching, Mat Hobbins, Karen Traynor, Chris Connel and Jackie Fielding, it features characters based around Drizzlewort, a milecastle on the wall.

Mr Dyson said: “I loved the idea, the setting, the script and the passion of Ed and Trevor when pitching this.

“It captures the imagination and uses our own region’s history to suggest just what it might have been like to be a soldier when Hadrian’s Wall was built.”

Trevor said: “Hadrian’s Wall is a fantastic setting for a show and we hope people in radioland find it as funny as the positive responses we got from the website broadcast.

“Apart from further radio broadcasts, our aim is to add more episodes and tour the show along Hadrian’s Wall as a live radio stageshow in a similar manner as we did with Son of Samurai when it was performed at the Latitude Festival and at north east venues.”

For more details visit www.edwaughandtrevorwood.co.uk

A SPECTACULAR light show is coming to North Tyneside next week.

St Mary’s Island will form the back drop to the UK premier of artist Yvette Mattern’s laser rainbow projection Global Rainbow.

It will last for five days to mark the launch of 2012’s Cultural Olympiad programme in the region.

It consists of seven parallel beams of high specification laser light, representing the spectrum of the traditional seven colours of the rainbow, and is designed to be projected across large open sites, particularly densely populated areas.

Launching on Wednesday, Global Rainbow will be visible from St. Mary’s headland along an eight kilometre stretch of the North Tyneside coastline for five nights between 6pm and midnight.

North Tyneside councillor Glynis Barrie said: “I’m delighted that North Tyneside is hosting the UK premiere of this spectacular event.

“We recognise the importance of the Cultural Olympiad and have already launched our Year of the Games – a series of sporting and cultural activities to celebrate the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“This projection is one of many events that will be taking place and I’m sure our borough will prove to be a superb setting for it.”

Yvette Mattern is based in New York and Berlin, where Global Rainbow has previously been on display.

It is your big day and everything should be perfect. and at the etc Wedding Show we have everything to make sure your wedding is just that.

Taking place on Sunday, March 25 at the stunning Rockliffe Hall, a five-star hotel in Hurworth, near Darlington, the day will feature 30 handpicked exhibitors as well as a spectacular catwalk showcasing the latest bridal gown trends, mother-of-the bride must-haves and men’s formal wear.

etc editor, Georga Spottiswood, said: “It is every girl’s dream to have a fairytale wedding and the etc team has waved its magic wand to help make that happen.

“Our event will feature the crème de la crème of the wedding industry and there will be everything from cars and cakes to beauty tips and wedding hair ideas – all the essential ingredients to make sure your big day is one to remember.

“I cannot wait for this event, it is going to be amazing.”

Brides-to-be and their families will be given five-star treatment at the wedding show with a glass of champagne on arrival.

They will then get to browse the stands, visualise their wedding ceremony taking place in the elegant Old Hall or glass-roofed Victorian Orangery – which will be set up as if to host a civil wedding – then sit back and relax while etc puts on a glittering catwalk show.

The event will take place from 11am to 5pm, with visitors being allocated one of three times slots.

etc director, Linda Burnside, said: “From stunning wedding jewellery to chair covers, hats, fascinators and honeymoon ideas, there will be something for every bride at the etc wedding show.

“This is an exclusive event and tickets are limited, so I’d advise people to book early.

“The etc Wedding Show will be a hugely enjoyable experience – it is no ordinary wedding event.”

Sponsors of the etc Wedding Show are: Poppy Bridal, Hooker and Young, Stan Seaton Photography and Simply Bows and Chair Covers.

All will be there showing brides and grooms how to add the special touches to their day.

etc has also teamed up with many of the exhibitors to offer one lucky bride and groom the chance to win some amazing prizes. They will include bridal make-up for the bride on her big day, courtesy of Eve Beauty Darlington, and a honeymoon at Rockliffe Hall worth more than £1,000.

Tickets cost £7 and are pre-paid only. Call 0191 501 7114. For more information {http://www.etcnortheast.co.uk/etc-wedding-show|Click Here|Click here for more details on the Etc Wedding Show}