JOY, laughter, and tears are offered in a satirical comedy being staged in Darlington, which looks at the perils of winning the National Lottery.

Paul Arrowsmith, a mature student at Darlington College of Technology, has written the play, called Balls Up.

It observes the changing attitudes of the Jackson family as they journey from rags to riches, and on the way discover the reality that money cannot buy true happiness.

Paul, a performing arts student, wrote the play after reading newspaper articles on the downsides of winning the Lottery.

He said: "The purpose of the play is not only to entertain, as you sympathise and laugh along with the exploits of the Jackson family. It also raises questions about how money can alter people's values, to their own detriment."

The play is to be judged for entry into the National Student Drama Festival.

Performances of Balls Up will run at 7.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets are available from Darlington College of Technology and the college information shop in the Cornmill Centre.