AN accident with a garden rake sets the scene in Rossendale Players' Woman In Mind by Alan Ayckbourn at the New Millennium Theatre, which runs until October 4.

One of Ayckbourn's darker comedies, the play charts the gradual mental collapse of a woman - Susan - following a gardening accident.

Starved of affectionate companionship and understanding love by an appallingly boring husband and priggish son who's ashamed of her, Susan conjures up an ideal family who come into her idyllic garden (also imagined).

But gradually she begins to lose control over these idealised people and their visitations until, finally, she breaks down completely in a nightmarish fantasy. For tickets call (01706) 228720. Pictured at rehearsals are Penny Griffin as Susan and Michael Whewell as Tony.