FOUR of Britain's leading actresses and a Mercury Music Prize nominated artist are among the highlights of the autumn programme of entertainment lined up in Hyndburn over the coming months.

Hyndburn Leisure has pulled off a major coup by securing Seven Deadly Sins by Four Deadly Sinners, which will take to the stage of Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Friday, September 19.

The show -- billed as an evening of "wicked comedy and heavenly drama" -- will feature the talents of a quartet of actresses well known for their TV work.

Former Coronation Street bad girl Eve Pope, EastEnders' star Louise Jameson, Jan Francis -- best known for Just Good Friends -- and Tracey Childs, from the cult series Howard's Way, team up for what promises to be an evening to remember.

Tickets are £11, with concessions £10.

Award-winning folk singer Eliza Carthy will be bringing her band to Accrington Town Hall on Sunday, October 19.

Carthy, whose album Anglicana is on the shortlist for the coveted Mercury Music Prize, is one of the leading names in folk, having been voted artist of the year in Radio Two's folk awards. Among the other acts coming to Hyndburn are '60s chart-toppers Joe Brown and The Searchers.

Joe Brown, fresh from an appearance at the Glastonbury Festival, will appear at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Thursday, November 13 while The Searchers -- known for such hits as Needles and Pins -- will play the theatre on Wednesday, October 15.

Other noteworthy events include Buddy Holly and the Cricketers at Oswaldtwistle on Sunday, September 28, Bernard Wrigley and the Oldham Tinkers at Accrington Town Hall on Sunday, October 5 and the Meatloaf Story at Oswaldtwistle on Friday, November 14.

At Christmas, there will be a traditional pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, featuring CITV presenter Leigh Morrison as Jack.

The pantomime will be at Oswaldtwistle Civic Theatre on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 and on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14.

In addition there will be monthly comedy nights with the Laughing Bullfrog Comedy club, plus a host of regular dance nights.

For tickets and full details of all Hyndburn's entertainment events, contact the box office at Accrington Town Hall on 01254 380293.