A TYLDESLEY theatre group has kicked off 2014 with performances of a gripping psychological thriller.

Tyldesley Little Theatre is staging Dead Reckoning at the Lemon Street venue tomorrow and Saturday.

The intense nail-biter, written by award-winning television writer Eric Chappell, is about a renowned artist caught up in a maze of chilling mind games and deceit.

When a mysterious Mr Todd arrives at painter Tony Reed’s house, Tony is forced to face the past that still haunts him — but who exactly is Mr Todd?

Just how far will Tony be prepared to go in order to exorcise his past — and who really did kill his adored first wife?

Director Paul Ward specialises in tense and gritty thrillers, already being the proud winner of Greater Manchester Drama Federation Awards for his work on Dead Guilty and House Guest.

He has gathered together key actors from his previous thrill-fests to ensure that experienced performances wrench the tension up to the maximum.

Ian Taylor and Karen Ward play the wretched couple, whose apartment and lives are invaded by unwelcome guests with a sinister agenda.

Ian said: "Expect twists, turns and stunning revelations as the victims of a twisted plan face up to their ‘dead reckoning’."

The show opened on Monday and runs until Saturday at 7.30pm, but there is no performance tonight.

For information and tickets for any TLT show, phone the Box Office on 01204 655619 or 01942 886908 or visit the website — tlt.org.uk.