A COLLECTION of dusty papers saved from a house clearance sparked the formation of a theatre group.

Swaledale Museum received the papers in 2006, which included several scripts performed by the local Wesley Guild in the 1940s.

Reeth Artyfacts was formed to revive one of the pantomime scripts, Beauty and the Beast, in aid of museum funds.

The actors continued to perform many sell-out pantomimes, dramas and original productions, and will return to the original collection of papers to present a one act thriller titled Mr Hunter, by Stuart Ready, which was first performed in the late 1940s.

The tale begins in the winter of 1948 when a small theatrical cast find themselves stranded at an unfamiliar railway station after a long tour.

Mr Hunter, the man who agreed to help them out, is nowhere to be found.

As they reflect on the recent mysterious death of their leading lady, and as no-one comes to their aid, the women become uneasy.

Mr Hunter will be performed on February 2 and 3 at Reeth Memorial Hall, and on February 9 at Gunnerside Village Hall.

Tickets are £7 and are on sale at Reeth Post Office for the Reeth performance, and on the door at Gunnerside.

For more details email harrietjmanning@gmail.com or call 07855 100171.