ACTOR, writer and novelist Mark Gatiss is backing a campaign to raise funds for a police memorial in a North-East town.

Mr Gatiss, who has written and acted in Doctor Who, Sherlock and The League of Gentleman and starred in Game of Thrones, will host an event at Darlington Civic Theatre in October in aid of the campaign.

The £20,000 stone memorial will be in place at Darlington Police Station to remember lost police officers and staff, and is to be entirely funded by donations.

Mr Gatiss, who was born in Sedgefield and went to school in Newton Aycliffe, has given his backing to the campaign after losing his brother-in-law, Detective Sergeant Dave Storey, of Darlington CID, who died in March last year.

Chief Superintendent Graham Hall said: “We are absolutely thrilled that Mark has agreed to give up his time to back our appeal.

“Despite his fame, he is a local lad and has certainly not forgotten his roots.

“The memorial, which is being funded entirely from donations, will be a fitting tribute to our police colleagues who are sadly no longer with us.”

Police officers and staff have already raised more than £3,000 for the cause by holding cake mornings, race nights and cycling to Paris.

Chief Supt Hall added: “This is something the staff have really rallied round for as they wanted something to remember their colleagues by.”

The intricate sandstone memorial will feature figures of police officers and staff, the force crest and images of Darlington’s heritage.

It will take specialist Darlington stonemason, David France, around two-and-a-half months to create.

Once completed, it will be displayed on the first floor of the town’s police station and supported by a metal frame built by Tony Petch, from Darlington.

Mr France, who has worked on countless historic buildings around the country, including the Theatre Royal, in Newcastle, and St Cuthbert’s Church, in Darlington, said the memorial is one of the most challenging projects he has worked on.

“It is frightening – it is quite a piece of work, especially the figures. It is not every day you get to work on something like this,” he said.

An Evening with Mark Gatiss will take place on Saturday, October 3 and tickets are £18 and £17.

To book call Darlington Civic Theatre on 01325-486555 or visit darlingtoncivic.co.uk

To donate to the fund visit gofundme.com/darlingtonpolice