PHOENIX Theatre Company is taking a leaf out of an Agatha Christie classic for its latest production.

Out Of Sight, Out Of Murder sees a novelist called Peter Knight retreat to an old country mansion to write his latest tale, only for him to awaken his own characters from his imagination.

He finds out that another author was murdered there and he loses control of his characters. There is a murder — with Peter as the intended victim — and he fears that he will be next, before he is able to finish his book.

Sam Cooper takes on the lead as Peter, Joy Plewes plays Kay Kelsey and Teresa Harper is Lydia. They are joined by Carol Butler, who plays Diane Babcock and Matt Rigby as the butler.

This is not the first time that director Dave Eyre has taken on the murder mystery — so when Phoenix invited him to direct a production for the society he could not resist.

He said: "I enjoyed directing this eight years ago at Whitefield Garrick, so I am pleased to be doing it again.

"The play is billed as a murder mystery which sees the main character Peter Knight go to an old mansion to write a murder mystery novel. During the course of the evening it becomes very spooky as he finds out that another author has died there before. As he thinks about these characters, they all come to life in front of him, as if they have been created from his own imagination."

Dave admits it has been a difficult production to direct after some key characters had to be re-cast at the last minute.

He said: "Rehearsals have been a bit fraught what with some people becoming ill and others having to leave due to work commitments, but we sorted that and everything is running well now.

"We are all very much looking forward to performing the play — although with the weather like it has been I imagine it will be very hot under the stage lights."

Out Of Sight, Out Of Murder, a play by Fred Carmichael, is taking place at Farnworth Little Theatre in Cross Street, from 7.30pm until Saturday. To book tickets, call 01204 840448.