LITTLE Hulton-born actor Christopher Eccleston will take the lead role in Hamlet at West Yorkshire Playhouse this autumn.

The production will mark Eccleston's first professional stage portrayal of a Shakespeare character.

Eccleston became famous in his television role in 1996 as Nicky in Our Friends In The North. Since then he has starred in films Shallow Grave and Jude and Elizabeth, with television work including Clocking Off, Cracker, Hillsborough and Hearts and Minds. For more information on Hamlet, phone 0113 213 7700.