OSWALDTWISTLE Players have received words of encouragement from the author of a hit '70s sitcom.

Rising Damp writer Eric Chappell also penned the Players' next production Theft, which runs at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre from October 22 to 25.

He wrote to the cast saying: "Sorry I won't be able to make Oswaldtwistle for the show but please accept my best wishes.

"You may be interested to know that Theft is being produced over the next few months in Rome, Warsaw and Istanbul -- in translation of

course -- so you're in distinguished company. Wishing you all success, Eric."

Gayle Knight, Players' secretary said: "Obviously it's nice for the cast to receive a letter like this from the author. It gives us a boost to know he cares about the groups performing his play."

Tickets for Theft, costing £6 (£5 concessions), are now available for the production from Accrington Town Hall, Oswaldtwistle Post Office and Elmwood Home Care on Dutton Street, Accrington.