A THEATRE group will retell an infamous true crime story.

Rossendale Players will stage Amanda Whittington's The Thrill of Love at the Players’ New Millennium Theatre, Waterfoot from September 23 to September 30.

The play explores the story of Ruth Ellis, a former model and nightclub hostess, who shot and murdered her abusive lover and racing car driver, David Blakely.

Ellis’ story is notorious as she was the last woman in Britain to be hanged before the death penalty was suspended in 1965 and permanently removed in 1970.

The Thrill of Love dramatises the events leading up to Ruth’s execution.

Ruth Ellis will be played by 20 year-old RADA foundation graduate, Beth Turnbull, said: “I am terrified and thrilled by the prospect of playing such a huge character.

"Ruth Ellis’ case was, and still is, such a controversial thing and that’s a big responsibility for me.

"I don’t believe she was the stone-cold murderess she was portrayed to be and it’s a priority of mine to do both her, and her story, justice.”

Tickets cost £9 and can be purchased online via Ticket Source or reserved by calling Anne Riding on 01706 228720.