A PLAY detailing the worries of country life comes to Darwen Library Theatre on October 24.

'New Life', by Maureen Lawrence, is being run in association with the Lancashire Rural Stress Network and tells the tale of a farmer and his daughter, a caseworker from DEFRA, whose lives are bound up in the plight of rural life.

The play looks at the way individuals are shaped by forces beyond their control and explores the feelings of disempowerment this causes. It is a response to the foot and mouth epidemic which made much of East Lancashire's countryside out of bounds last year. Many farmers endured movement restrictions throughout this time which pushed rural businesses to the limit.

The performance is at 7.30pm and tickets costing £3 or £2.50 for concessions are available on 01254 706006.