A THEATRE company is celebrating its 40th anniversary with plenty of thrills and spills as it brings the world premiere of a new murder mystery play by Chris Martin to the stage.

"Who Killed the Secret Agent" is being performed by Westhoughton Methodist Amateur Dramatic Society.

David Fensome, chairman and drector of the theatre company said: "The new murder mystery is the latest in a long line of very successful murder mystery plays written by Chris. We are extremely grateful to Chris for allowing us to have the honour of the world premiere of his latest work."

He added: "We are a small group who have produced and performed traditional pantomimes and comedy plays for local audiences. It is beyond our wildest dreams that we would have the opportunity to perform a piece for the first time anywhere.

"We were so excited as a group by the opportunity that we have altered our normal production schedule."

The play is set in the office of Spy Master “P” during the height of the Cold War and just days after Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space.

The plot revolves around the death of Super Spy Marcus Moult-Lightly and introduces a number of suspicious, but oh, so secret characters.

The murder mystery play will be presented over two weekends with the premiere held on Saturday, April 21 at Westhoughton Methodist Church with a gala charity night in aid of Guide Dogs.

Diane Moore, Guide Dogs community fundraising development officer, said: "On behalf of Guide Dogs I’d like to thank everyone at Westhoughton Methodist Amateur Dramatic Society for choosing to support the charity at the upcoming world premiere of ‘Who Killed the Secret Agent’."

She added: "Furthermore, Guide Dogs relies on the support of the general public to fund its life changing services and simply couldn’t continue its work without help from people like you."

Chris, who lives in Adlington near Chorley, said: "I was invited along last year to see the group perform another of my plays and enjoyed the show so much I decided to ask them if they would like to hold the world premiere of my latest work. I was so pleased when David said they would."

Chris has had his plays performed on every continent and on many oceans including on the liner Queen Victoria, and on Royal Navy vessels patrolling the Falklands.

The price for the gala night are £15 and include refreshments and pasty and pea supper.

The following Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28, the tickets will be priced at £6 each and include refreshments and pasty and pea supper. All proceeds from these performances to go to Westhoughton Methodist Church funds.

Tickets can be bought in person on Saturdays prior to the shows between 10am and noon from Westhoughton Methodist Church, Wigan Road; by calling 07808 841631, or email salsacolin@ntlworld.com. For more details visit www.westhoughtonmethodist.co.uk