ONE good turn deserves another, as a local theatre company has discovered.

North Country Theatre director Nobby Dimon and carpenter Malcolm Wood were scratching their heads about how to create a four-poster bed for the summer production of Moll Flanders.

The bed had, like most of the company's stage props, to double up as everything from a boat to a gallows and had to be easily dismantled and transported to venues in a van.

When Mr Dimon visited woodturner Steve Wass, in Richmond, he had a stroke of luck.

Mr Wass, from Downholme, in lower Swaledale, was such a fan of NCT's productions that he agreed to do the job for free if provided with the timber.

He recognised Mr Dimon from the company's performances at Reeth Memorial Hall. "North Country Theatre gave me a great night out and a good laugh in Reeth last year so I was glad to be able to do them a good 'turn' in return," he said.

The bed begins its tour with an outdoor performance of the eighteenth century bawdy tale at Temple Lodge Gardens, Richmond, on the weekend of June 21-22.

The production then tours until the end of July, taking in venues including: June 26, Old Rectory Gardnes, Kirklington, near Thirsk; June 27, Hob Green Hotel, Markington, near Ripon; July 2, Middleham Castle; July 4, Newby Hall, near Boroughbridge; July 5, Pickering Castle; July 10 Green Dragon, Hardraw, near Hawes; July 11, Hambleton Forum, Northallerton; July 12, Yarm Fellowship Hall; July 16, The Garden, 3 North End, Bedale; July 23, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle; July 25, Manor House gardens, Newton le Willows, near Bedale; July 26, Richmond Castle.

All performances begin at 7.30 and most are outdoors, when audiences are advised to take warm clothing, something to sit on and a picnic.