THREE men in a butcher's shop surrounded by knives and mincers.

It's such a good idea as a setting for a play you wonder why nobody's thought of it before, but Mark Chatterton isn't complaining.

The former Coronation Street actor turned writer has certainly brought home the bacon in his play HAM! which is currently playing at Bolton's Octagon Theatre.

For since writing the musical farce Mark, together with his partner Sue, has scripted several pantomimes, including Aladdin -- The Wok and Roll panto. Mark said: "We are interested in fairy tales and the pantomime way of telling stories. It gives us a lot of fun and a chance to be as silly as we like."

Mark drew on his acting experience to create the distinctive characters in HAM! - his first play.

He said: "The butchers are three very different types of bloke. One is very much the bullish boss, who's a bit out of touch with reality. The middle one is a real Lothario, while the other one is very naive."

Mark's acting career has also blossomed and - following a series of appearances in The Forsythe Saga, The Cops, Hillsborough and Cold Feet - he has now been offered a part in the new Danny Boyle film Millions.

All this after appearing in Coronation Street as Raquel's boyfriend Gordon Blinkhorn.

He said: "I had some great lines. Raquel never had a normal boyfriend and acting that part was such a laugh.

"But it's odd when you first step on to the set. If you've watched Corrie since year dot you feel you know them all so well.

"On my first day I got into a lift and there was Jean Alexander, learning her lines. It was quite daunting."

Later Mark moved on to a directing career, then came his chance to write his own shows.

He said: "I was in an Alan Ayckbourn play at Derby Playhouse in 1996 where I wasn't in Act Two, so I just started writing this play."

He said: "I'm lucky I'm in a job I enjoy doing so much. Acting is a lot of fun, but it can be frustrating if you're not working. That's why I'm lucky I have the option of writing as well."

Ham runs until Saturday, May 31. For details contact the box office on 01204 520661.