A PLAY about farming life during the foot and mouth crisis takes to the ring at Clitheroe Auction Mart next month.

The auction ring one of several unusual rural venues in East Lancashire chosen for the special performances.

The play, performed by the Blaize Theatre Company, looks at the foot and mouth crisis through the eyes of a farmer, his daughter, a pub landlord and a Government official.

New Life was penned by playwright Maureen Lawrence in consultation with the East Lancashire farming and tourist industries.

It has been funded by the Lancashire Rural Stress Network and will be at venues chosen with the rural community in mind.

The venues include the old courtroom at Slaidburn's historic Hark to Bounty Inn and Chipping Village Hall.

Youngsters will also be able to consider the themes arising from New Life and produce a short one-act play expressing their concerns with a view to a performance at the Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, later in the year.

The dates and venues are October 2; Clitheroe Auction Mart, October 22; Hark to Bounty Inn, Slaidburn, October 24; Darwen Library Theatre, October 25; Chipping Village Hall.

Tickets priced £2 are available from John Barber at the Lancashire Rural Stress Network on 01200 427771.