ONE of the region's biggest theatre companies is to join forces with a group of dales dramatists to produce a new play.

The Castle Players, based in Teesdale, will be working with members of Live Theatre to put on the Last Post, written by playwright Julia Darling.

The play will be premiered at Bishop Auckland Town Hall before moving on to the Witham Hall, in Barnard Castle, where the show will be performed on April 18 and 19.

The Castle Players will be part of the cast for the Witham Hall performances, and hope to be involved in future shows in Gainford and Hamsterley.

Trudi Dixon, of the Castle Players, said: "We are delighted to play a part in such a major theatrical event.

"We are devising, in a series of workshops, a short ten- minute performance, that will precede the full length feature by the Live Theatre group.

"The workshops are proving to be a great experience for our actors, who are currently busy rehearsing for the summer production of As You Like It."

The Castle Players have gained a loyal following around Teesdale and Weardale, and their production of A Midsummer Night's Dream last year sold out within days.

Jill Cole, director of the Castle Players, said: "Live Theatre, based on the Quayside in Newcastle, has never before premiered its work outside Tyneside.

"It is a great opportunity for people living in Barnard Castle and Teesdale to see the work of one of the region's most well-respected theatre companies."