NEIL Duffield arrived in Bolton to work as a carpenter at the town's Octagon Theatre...30 years later his work graces the stage.

But it is not the sets that are enchanting young and old, but the words being spoken.

The man who began his association with the theatre as a carpenter is now writing its productions.

In fact, since arriving in Bolton, Neil has become an established playwright.

This year alone, two of his shows are being staged -- The Snow Queen at the Bolton Octagon and The Jungle Book at The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster.

Neil, 58, said: "I came to Bolton to work as a carpenter. I am a joiner by trade, and that is what I did when I arrived at the Octagon in 1971.

"It makes me particularly pleased to be working here. The Bolton Octagon is my favourite theatre. I have always had a soft spot for it, not just because I worked there, but because it truly is a wonderful theatre."

Neil has been writing full time for about 20 years. He initially became involved through his interest in theatre in education.

He said: "I worked for Pit Prop in Leigh which was all about theatre in education, and started writing with that organisation in the early 1980s.

"My first play, On the Rock and Roll was written for Pit Prop. I do not think it is very good when I read it now."

However, that feeling is nothing new for Neil, who says he never likes to watch his work performed on stage.

He said: "I think some writers like to go and watch their work being performed. But I hate it. I always see flaws in the performances. I go to watch my shows as little as possible. It is a bit of a torment for me.

"And that," he quickly adds, "is nothing to do with the performances and is no reflection on the productions. It is just me, the way I am."

Neil's work also featured last Christmas when he penned Firebird for the Duke Theatre, in Lancaster.

He said: "That is one of my favourite pieces. I was very pleased with Firebird. It was a new script. My other favourite was a script I wrote a few years ago for adults called Lillford Mill. That has never had a second production. Although this year a publishing company in America has been considering putting it into print."

Neil currently has a play on national tour called Talking with Angels. It was written for a company called Quicksilver.

Neil said: "Although much of the work I have written has been for children and young people I have produced a real range of stuff. Most of it does have a serious side.

"I even like the light hearted stuff to have some sort of serious content to it.

"I would not say individual writers have influenced me. I draw from everyone I see, and I see as much as I can.

"I work as a freelance writer. That can be very hard because you are never sure where your next job is coming from.

"Unfortunately, you never get used to that level of insecurity, you just keep going."

The adaptations of the Jungle Book and the Snow Queen provide theatres with a festive alternative to the more traditional pantomime. Each incorporates aspects of panto, including, song, dance, colourful costume and even audience participation.

Neil said: "The Snow Queen is what I would describe as storytelling theatre, based on fairytales. It is not a pantomime, but is children's theatre."

Neil switches to the other end of the market later this year with his involvement with the Octagon's Activ8 project for the over-55s. He has been writing workshops for the Act Your Age scheme, which it is hoped will inspire participants to produce their own scripts.

The Snow Queen runs at the Bolton Octagon until January 12. The Jungle Book run at the Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, ends January 5.