MURDER, haunted houses and plot twists are the underlying themes of many of the entries for an upcoming drama festival.

Groups from Richmond, Washington, Scarborough, and Saltburn are taking part in the the 43rd Festival of One Act Plays, in September, at Sedgefield Parish Hall.

One of the organisers, Liz Flanagan, said: "Once again we are looking forward to a great week of plays, along with welcoming back both regular groups and we are really pleased to see Saltburn 53 Society back at our festival after a number of years absence."

The festival will showcase newly written plays, which are planned to give adjudicator Jan Palmer Sayer something to think about when deciding the best new written play award.

Two of the new plays are being performed on the opening night.

The first, As It Was, is being performed by the Sedgefield Players Youth Section (SPYS) and is written by former SPY herself, Lucy Atkinson, who hopes it will be thought provoking.

Ms Atkinson has recently been awarded a first class honours degree in creative writing from Manchester.

The drama festival will start on Tuesday, September 9 and tickets cost £7 each or £25 for a season ticket.

Tickets can be bought from Tickety Boo, the gift shop in Sedgefield, or by calling 07957-104434.