Mirfield-born Star Trek and Hollywood actor Patrick Stewart made an emotional return to his roots yesterday, recalling the days when he first trod the boards in the town. He was giving a special one-man charity show in the area last night at Dewsbury Town Hall. Examiner reporter JANE YELLAND caught up with him.

THERE was one good reason why Star Trek superstar Patrick Stewart took up acting - the women.

Recalling the days when he first trod the boards in his hometown of Mirfield, he said: "You did get to meet some cracking girls and have a good reason for spending a lot of evenings with them."

The admission came as the former pupil of Mirfield Secondary Modern School returned to his roots to give a one-man show in aid of his old youth club.

He told how Gilder Hall Youth Club held a special place in his heart.

Not only did he develop his acting skills there, but his grandfather used to go there in the 1920s, when the club was famed for its team of handbell ringers.

Patrick said: "Gilder Hall had an influential part in my early childhood.

"It was there that I was first encouraged to read Shakespeare out loud."

His first taste of acting came when he was about seven or eight and he played Tom O' Towngate in a pageant in Mirfield.

"I used to live in Towngate - perhaps I was given the part because of that."

During the 1950s, Gilder Hall had a thriving athletics team, with which Patrick's brother Trevor was involved.