YOUNG actors at Bowland High School, Grindleton, will tread the boards in a play about the foot and mouth epidemic.

They will appear alongside the Blaize Theatre Company at the Duke's Playhouse, Lancaster, in a performance of New Life.

Penned by playwright Maureen Lawrence in consultation with the East Lancashire farming and tourist industries, New Life looks at the crisis through the eyes of a farmer, his daughter, a pub landlord and a Government official.

Actors from the Blaize Theatre Company visited Bowland High School to help youngsters produce a one-act play, which will be performed alongside New Life at the top Lancaster venue next month.

Bowland High has launched a bid for special status as a centre of excellence in performing arts and music.

During the workshop, youngsters considered the themes arising from New Life and produced a short one-act play, expressing their concerns about the foot and mouth epidemic.

New Life is to take to the stage at several unusual rural venues in East Lancashire, including Clitheroe Auction Mart on Tuesday, Slaidburn's Hark to Bounty Inn on Thursday and the Darwen Library Theatre on Friday.

The play is being supported by the Lancashire Rural Stress Network, which offers advice and support to farmers and in crisis.

Tickets for New Life priced £2 are available from John Barber at the Lancashire Rural Stress Network on 01200 427771.