A NEW play which deals with the landscape and history of Pendle will have its premiere in the borough this week.

On Pendle Hill, by Maureen Lawrence, is partly based on work carried out with young people in rural East Lancashire, including workshops in Pendle and the Ribble Valley.

The play, commissioned by Spot On, Lancashire's Rural Touring Network, will also star a Colne actor, Gary Skelton, who has been working in London for two years.

The playwright carried out workshops with young people between January and May this year to create the play, funded by organisations including the Arts Council, Lancashire County Council and Pendle Leisure.

The idea for the workshops grew out of a project carried out in rural Lancashire to create a theatrical production based on experiences during the foot and mouth epidemic.

The recurring theme of the workshop project was the isolation of young people in rural areas.

The play features a playwright researching memories of a wartime childhood in Lancashire, who uncovers a connection with the story of the Pendle witches.

The landscape of Pendle Hill is also used in the story to suggest a strong, enduring quality in the people of the area.

The play will be performed by the professional theatre company Blaize with a four-strong cast playing a variety of roles.

The first performance of the show will be at Barnoldswick OAP Centre on Friday at 7pm. Performances are planned for the following week in Bolton-by-Bowland, Arkholme and Clitheroe.

For tickets for the first performance call 01282 661731. For information on future performances and venues call 01254 614965.