"STORYTELLERS are professional liars," says Graham Rogers, and he should know.

He has been one for 15 years now, ever since he gave up his job as an education officer for the museum service, in Poole.

"Storytelling is a pleasing experience," he says.

"It's a commodity that many people are looking for and willing to pay for."

Five hundred years ago, he might have found himself travelling from village to village, or castle to castle, in order to conduct business.

But times have changed, and Graham (61) is much more accustomed to visiting schools and libraries, armed with his Spanish guitar and an array of mysterious tricks and gadgets.

So enthusiastic and devoted is he to his work that it's hard to believe Graham, who lives in Fordingbridge, simply stumbled upon the job.

"I never thought of storytelling as a career it was only after I had been a teacher for many years that I saw there was a possibility of making a living from it, and that I had the necessary skills."

His performances are tailored for primary school audiences and he is a big believer in audience participation.

"Children need to be lured into the excitement of the spoken word," he said.

Although Graham left his job as a primary school teacher a quarter of a century ago, it seems he still has a love of teaching, and is grateful for the skills it taught him.

He was music and drama teacher at West Moors First School for eight years and deputy head of Gaunts Common First School for three, and his teaching years gave him valuable experience in engaging youngsters and holding their attention.

Nowadays, these are among the storytelling skills that he passes on to others who want to learn the craft.

"I run half a dozen workshops every year, training others to be storytellers," he says.

What with lesson plans and a repertoire of 250 stories (35 of which he'd be ready to tell right now), doesn't he ever feel the need to write anything down?

"I have thought about it," says Graham.

"But the skills needed to become a successful writer differ considerably from those required by the storyteller."

Originally used as a means of communicating important historical events and information to new generations, the classic art form of storytelling is now more about sharing emotions and experience, whether they are based on fact or born out of pure imagination.

During the middle ages, storytellers, who were known as troubadours and bards, were held in high esteem.

Admired and respected, they were a definite must-have for those lucky or wealthy enough to afford their services.

Although storytelling is currently enjoying a revival in popularity, it has a lot to compete against in terms of modern-day entertainment.

However, Graham thinks this time-honoured art will continue to stand the test of time.

"Storytelling is relevant today because audiences are willing to make an effort to enjoy it, as they are with books, poetry, theatre, concerts and radio.

"It will wax and wane in popularity," he says.

"But I don't think it will ever die out."

For more information about Graham's storytelling activities, visit www.grahamrogers.

co.uk.