A FORMER St Gregory's RC High School pupil has swapped his job selling phones at Golden Square to bring to life one of literature’s best loved characters.

Ben Sherlock is playing Ratty in a touring production of Kenneth Grahame’s classic novel The Wind in the Willows.

The show, which comes to Northwich and Sale, is a breakthrough for Ben, who has juggled his work at the O2 shop while developing his performing career.

The 20-date tour will see Ben perform at different open air locations with the Folksy Theatre company, including Stonyford Gardens in Northwich on July 16 and Walkden Gardens in Sale on July 17.

The 23-year-old said: “I am quite a relaxed person and don’t normally suffer with stage fright but when I read the script through I realised how big a part it is.

"In the first act in particular it’s pretty much just Ratty speaking."

Ben is hoping the role of Ratty leads to more acting jobs.

He said: "It’s such a difficult industry to succeed in. It would be stupid to say you only want to do one thing, either theatre of television or whatever.

"I’ll consider anything that will progress my career and if I end up happy in what I’m doing and able to support myself financially that will be great."

Ben, who lives with his parents and younger brother in Callands, went to school at St Gregory’s and then college in St Helen’s before embarking on his degree course in Blackpool.

He added: "I was in an independent film that hasn’t been released yet, and a music video and I did some corporate work including a training film for O2.

"But nothing as big as this so it’s really exciting."

With a supportive family behind him, Ben says his biggest fan is his nan, Dorris Cleary, who has always encouraged him to pursue his dreams.

He even swapped his surname of Taylor to her maiden name, Sherlock, as his stage name in honour of her and hopes the 84-year-old will be able to watch him perform in Northwich.

Ben said: "She’ll come if she can, but she’s not too good on her feet anymore.

"It’s all very British and there’s a definite ‘show must go on’ kind of mentality. The audiences are advised to dress for the weather and come prepared as it’s all outdoors in various parks and gardens."

- To buy tickets or for more information on the theatre tour visit folksytheatre.co.uk