FORMER Brookside actor John McArdle got inside information on a new community arts drama which will centre on Haslingden.

Literary Project one-O-one is backed by the Action for Haslingden Partnership, which manages single regeneration budget money, and Rossendale Council.

One of the project's major schemes will be a community play and playwright Kevin Fegan is holding a series of talks with local actors and writers to create the script.

At Haslingden Community Link centre, in the former St Mary's RC Primary School, John was invited to meet Kevin along with Haslingden Partnership leaders Peter Fisher and Sally Collins and Project one-O-one officer John Carley.

Revealing a little of the script so far, Kevin said: "All is not well with the Stephens family - a humorous but tough Haslingden family who are the proud owners of a local shoe shop.

"A dark secret has been hidden across three generations. Sally Stephens is a strange child - even for a teenager!

"Sally and her mates Kitty, Abigail and Terry are all bored with teenage life on the streets of Haslingden, when they decide to set off hunting boggarts on the Grane and uncover much more than they bargained for..."

John McArdle has agreed to be a patron of the play along with Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondhalgh, Hayley Cropper, who hails from Oswaldtwistle and Hyndburn MP Greg Pope.

It is hoped the play, which combines dance, music and drama, will be staged next year and some performances will be in the Community Link's premises.

For more information contact Mr Carley on 01706 831260.

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