POPULAR actor Robert Powell will be taking time out from a run at Malvern Theatres to join in with a special storytelling session at the Barnardo’s Evergreen Children’s Centre.

Mr Powell, who is taking the starring role in a new production of Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, will be visiting the centre on Friday, May 13 to mark national storytelling month.

He will take a tour of the facilities and then join children in a specially-created “enchanted forest” for a reading from one of the Gruffalo books, complete with special props.

Evergreen centre manager Claire D’arcy said: “Storytelling is a big part of most people’s childhoods. It’s a great way to develop speech and language, listening skills and imagination. We are really excited about having a professional actor join us.”