The tradition of storytelling had died out in Wales over the years. Then the author Bethan Gwanas took the job of literary promoter for schools in Gwynedd and she realised that if children didn't learn to love listening to stories, then they wouldn't come to enjoy reading stories either.

So the county council decided to advertise for a storyteller and since I'd done lots of acting work before I had my children, I decided to apply for it. I was sent to schools, colleges, old people's homes, hospitals - anywhere. I don't think any other county in Britain has ever offered such a service.

After the project came to an end with the council, I decided to go out by myself, and it's been brilliant. I've told stories in a yurt in Dolgellau, up a chimney in some old ruins and dressed as a fairy in some woods in Colwyn Bay!

Then, in January, I was nominated for a prize from the Arts Foundation. I was up against a man of Indian extraction, a Jewish lady and a Londoner. I told my story totally bilingually and I taught the English audience a Welsh chorus. I love welcoming the audience with a song and I get them involved to make sure that we're all in the same boat.

When I won, one of the judges told me that she's never heard anyone slip so easily from one language to another when telling a story. I try to keep the rhythm going so the Welsh flows easily into the English sentences.

Body language is also important; people can follow the story by looking at the faces I make or the shapes I create with my body.

Some people don't quite know how to react when listening to a story, so it's important to make them feel comfortable. There's a certain magic to stories, although some people can relax so much they fall asleep! But not with me - I'm like a jumping bean when I tell stories and I always use different voices.

Storytelling can also be a kind of therapy for some people. I once went to some old people's homes to tell a series of love stories. I then encouraged the listeners to share their own stories; it was a great way of improving their memories and it was a really moving experience.

Telling stories to your children is also important. My advice is to find a cosy corner where no one will disturb you; where the child feels like they are truly the centre of your world.

Don't be scared to play, to make faces and give characters voices. It's what brings them alive and makes the children want to hear more.

I still read stories to my 11-year-old, even though he can obviously read for himself. As I'm often really busy, reading to him is a time when he gets my undivided attention and I can introduce him to books above his level, discussing the story as we go along. It's a really special time. Catherine Aran

Listen to Catherine tell the story of the quarry ghosts.

And there's another bilingual story from Catherine Aran, about robbers in Betws-y-Coed, on Lleol i Mi.