PROGRESS on the creation of a play set in and about Richmondshire has taken a leap forward with the commissioning of one of the region's top playwrights.

Mick Martin has joined the project to research and write the play which is expected to involve a cast of up to one 100 local actors and musicians, as well as a number of professional actors and a professional production team.

The playwright has a raft of writing credits for theatre, TV, community theatre and radio including Once Upon A Time In Wigan, which has played at theatres all over the country over the last two years, Adventures In A Yorkshire Landscape for Bradford Theatre In The Mill, The Life And Times Of Young Bob Scallion for the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, Bilathi Cop and Ballykissangel for TV and Life's A Sport for Radio 4.

"The chance to write for a truly huge ensemble cast like this hardly ever arises, so I'm looking forward to the chance to create a broad canvas, one that captures a lot of the history and uniqueness about the area and the people," he said.

"I think it should be a lot of fun for all involved, and to see that many people on stage will be really spectacular."

The play will be inspired by the heritage, history, traditions and landscape of the district, with performances to be staged at open air sites such as Middleham and Richmond Castles and Hardraw Falls next summer.

A programme of drama workshops will give people in all parts of the district the chance to help the organisers, AiR and North Country Theatre, decide what the play will be about.

Sessions will be taken by the director, Nobby Dimon, and Mick Martin to explore characters and themes through improvisation.

They are open to people of any age and experience, and there is no commitment to be involved with the play at this stage.

The first workshop was held on Sunday at Middleham Key Centre.

The next (10am-5pm) is tomorrow at Aldborough St John Village Hall followed by sessions at Richmond Amateur Dramatic Society rehearsal rooms, 6-8 Castle Hill, Richmond, on Saturday; Reeth Memorial Hall on July 25 and the Friends' Meeting House, Bainbridge, on July 31.

People wanting to attend workshops should register with AiR on 01969 625142.