CHRIS Lines is head of PR at Sunderland-based Press Ahead. The 40-year-old was born in Sunderland and brought up in Sedgefield before going to University in Nottingham. His first job was as a money lender and debt collector but he soon realised it wasn’t for him. Before long he managed to bag his first PR job working for Lynne Franks, the PR pioneer who inspired the Ab Fab comedy series.

After living in London for 19 months he moved to Manchester then returned to his native North East as PR manager at Berghaus before becoming director of PR at One North East where he worked on the ‘Passionate People Passionate Places’ campaign.

A keen sportsman and outdoor pursuits fan, he lives in Sedgefield with wife Catherine, a childminder and singer in a trio called Interlude and sons Ciaran, eight and Charlie, five. Their third child is due in May.

What’s your first memory?

Sedgefield Medieval Fayre. It’s a big deal for the village. As a kid I remember the noise and the colour and the excitement of the event.

What were you like as a child?

Talkative and curious. As the oldest of four, my relatives told me I used to talk a lot, and on behalf of my siblings occasionally. I must’ve been really annoying! We were all fairly active – not couch potatos at all.

What childhood games did you play?

We played outside a lot. With four of us there was plenty of scope for hide & seek and various bat and ball games. I remember playing Swing Ball quite a lot with my brother and it would get quite aggressive.

What music did you like and what was the first record you bought?

I’ve always liked music from before my time. I guess my parents’ soundtrack was mine. They loved the Moody Blues so I heard Nights in White Satin a fair few times. My mum was a big Beatles fan but I soon became a bit of a Rolling Stones fan. I did like some naff stuff as well. I’m not sure the first record I bought but it could’ve been something like Come on Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners but it’s more likely it was a Shakin’ Stevens.

Did you have a family pet?

We had about 13. We had a menagerie. It started with dogs – a lovely Alsatian called Tam, then a Springer Spaniel and a Labrador. Then rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, a cat, fish. At one point we had a cockatiel that landed on my brother’s shoulder when we were out walking. He brought it home and it never left. And we had a rabbit called Starsky because it lived in a hutch.

Were your school days the best days of your life?

I did enjoy school but I think the Scout movement did as much to shape my life. Cubs and Scouts was much more fun. I was a Sixer in the Cubs and a patrol leader of the Kestrels in the Scouts. It really did influence me more in the long run. It gave me that lifelong love of the outdoors.

Were you ever bullied?

No.

What were your favourite TV programmes?

Dr Who with cushion to hand – Tom Baker era. Then Superstars with Brian Jacks. I remember seeing Kevin Keegan coming off his bike at full pelt. I liked comedies like Porridge and Fawlty Towers. If I could I would take a sneak peek at Not the Nine O’Clock News.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

I always loved writing but I hadn’t formed any solid idea of what I wanted to do. The romantic idea of a woodland ranger might have come into my head.

How did you spend your weekends?

Often I was away with the Scouts – so hiking and camping. If not I’d be doing some kind of sport.

Do you remember your first kiss?

No. I think I was in junior school but it was very innocent.

Who was your first love?

That was someone at school but I’m not going to name them. Whether it was love, looking back, is another matter.

What was the most important thing in the world to you?

It always has been and always will be family – which included the pets.

What did you wear then, that you would never wear now?

I was distinctly unfashionable and most people would say I still am! On my first day in sixth form I wore a green, yellow and red stripy jumper but I never wore it again because I was being mocked by pretty much everyone. I never bought clothes myself – it was just stuff I was given.

How have you changed from your teenage self?

I’m probably a bit more confident. Although I was talkative I was still shy in certain social situations. Now I’m happy speaking in front of groups. I’m a little more self aware so I make fewer faux pas than I did as a kid. And my hair’s shorter.

Where did you go on holiday?

We used to go almost every year to the Northumberland coast. We stayed at my grandparents’ caravan between Seahouses and Bamburgh. There would be six of us and the two dogs. I remember those times with misty-eyed joy. There isn’t anywhere more glorious than that part of coastline in the summer. I’ve taken my family up there camping since as it’s such a wonderful part of the world.

Would the young you be pleased with the adult you?

I think so. I don’t think he’d be disappointed. The fact that I’m married with children and still in the North East, still very active in sport – all of that my younger self would’ve approved of.

If you could go back in time what would tell your 15-year-old self?

Don’t wear that stripy jumper.