JUNE LEE has been a popular performer down at St Joseph's Players for many a long year.

But this year she has taken the bold step into the director's chair - "and I could not have a more difficult play," she says.

She directs the Francis Durbridge thriller "A Touch of Danger", which begins a four-night run on May 18.

A tense tale of spies and lies, it features demanding flashback scenes mixed in with a jumpy backdrop of blood, shudders and intrigue.

June, who last appeared on stage as Nurse Libby in last September's "Night Must Fall", said: "It's been a tough switch. It's opened my eyes to all the different and difficult tasks facing any director. But it's been fun."

Tickets for the play are on sale at Boardman's on Bradshawgate, Leigh. Playgoers can pay at the door.

The company's Autumn plays have now been cast with Doreen Johnson directing "The Odd Couple" in September and Linda Sargent diecting "Accrington Pals" in October.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.