A TEENAGER is holding a story telling evening to raise funds for his scout expedition to Morocco.

Tadhg Collins, 15, who is a member of Ilkley Young Writers Group, is inviting the public to come along to share stories, poems and jokes.

He will be holding his event at Coopers in Guiseley on March 11 to raise money for the expedition this summer.

The public are being invited to go along and listen or to tell their own stories. Anyone who can't get to the event is invited to record a story and send it to play at the gathering.

Tadhg, who lives in Guiseley, has already been writing personalised poems to help with the fund-raising.

He said: "It has been a challenge but I have received some great feedback. People have sent me three words and an image and I have had to come up with a poem for them. They have marked occasions and events ranging from a birth, 70th birthday, moving into a first home, the Three Peaks, Cumbrian floods, the Do lectures, three about dogs, a brass band, a firm of accountants and some others with random words.

"Sometimes, I’ve hit a 'writer’s block' and found it really hard and others just seem to have almost written themselves. People have been so generous and my poems seem to connect with them and that gives me a real buzz.

"In total I need to raise £1,800 for this West Yorkshire Scouts 2016 Expedition to Morocco. We’ll be leaving in August and will be hiking in the high mountains, helping with a project in a rural community as well as camel trekking and spending a night under the stars in the desert."

His dad Tim Collins added: "I’m sure it will be a big challenge and a great adventure and the experienced expedition leaders have done so much planning work – they seem to have thought of every eventuality. As well as the physical and environmental challenges I also hope Tadhg learns about the different communities and cultures. Communication and words are critical in our learning and I think Michelle and Becky who run Ilkley Young Writers Group have done a fantastic job enabling young people to express ideas and themselves. I love stories and I’m really looking forward to hearing a real variety from people of all ages and different backgrounds – it should be a very good evening."

Tickets are £5, Concessions £3, Families £12. They are available from Coopers or by emailing tim@asktim.org or texting or phoning 0796 999 7335. Doors Open at 7.30pm, with words from 8pm.