THE day he was presented with a second-hand coffin proved a hair-raising experience for barber Bernard Lally.

But the macabre gift could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the amateur dramatic group, of which Bernard is a producer.

The rare stage-prop coffin had lain untouched in the attic at former cabaret singer, Carol Steele's Victorian home, The Willows, in Crook, County Durham, for several years.

It was bought seven years ago for £30 by Carol's daughter, Carrie, at a second-hand shop in Newcastle, where she was studying music.

Carrie, who has followed her mother into a singing career, at first kept the coffin in her bedroom as a Halloween joke to shock friends.

Eventually, her mother decided enough was enough - and the coffin was despatched to the attic.

Now Carol and husband, Philip, are moving out of their home to a new bungalow and they decided that the coffin, among other things, had to go.

It was Carol, who performed with the well-known '50s and '60s Sacriston Roadshow, who decided to present the coffin to the Glenholme Theatre Club, based in Crook.

"I suppose it's a bit of hair-raising gift, but we are very grateful to Carol," said Bernard.

"Prop coffins are quite rare and it will be very useful if we ever get around to staging something like Dracula. There are several other plays which involve coffins as props".

Until the curtain goes up, the coffin will be stored in the theatre club's rehearsal room.