IT'S full steam ahead as Leyland Historical Society hosts a production by the Mikron Theatre Company about little-known inventor Richard Trevithick.

The play tells the story of the Cornish engineer and inventor who, on Christmas Eve 1801, journeyed with friends on his propelled steam engine invention -- 28 years before Stephenson's famous Rocket.

While the inventor's fame and fortune seemed certain, he died in poverty 32 years later without the recognition many claim he deserved.

Now the Yorkshire-based theatre company aim to raise the pioneer's profile in their production, with actor Charley Moon in the lead role, using humour, original songs and music to accompany the action.

'All Steamed Up' charts Trevithick's struggle to develop his ideas while exploring his relationship with long suffering wife Jane, played by Kate Buxton.

The story was penned by Mike Lucas and Jim Woodland with the help of Frank Trevithick Okuno -- the great, great, grandson of the inventor. During Trevithick's life he spent 11 years travelling to silver mines in South America -- where he met revolutionary leader Simon Bolivar. He made a fortune, lost it, was nearly eaten by an alligator and had to borrow his fare home to England from young, unknown pioneer Robert Stephenson.

Actors, Shelley Halstead and Peter Toon are taking on the challenge of playing 50 characters between them in the production, which opens on Monday, October 7, at 7.30pm, at Prospect House, Sandy Lane in the town.

Tickets are available from the Leyland Historical Society on 433159.