ALAN Ayckbourn's Snake in the Grass gives a chilling start to a red-hot programme of entertainment for the Old Laundry' s anniversary bash.

The Bowness venue's tenth festival opened this week with an Ayckbourn world premiere, staged by his Stephen Joseph Theatre, presenting a spine-tingling tale of suspense and ghosts from the past.

The edge-of-the-seat thriller stars Susie Blake, best known for her television roles in Sunburn and Drop the Dead Donkey, as well as Fiona Mollinson, of Hollyoaks fame.

Snake in the Grass continues tonight (Friday) and tomorrow, both at 8pm.

Starting next week the same cast perform a second dose of the leading playwright's work - Joking Apart, a hysterical comedy one minute, uncomfortable realism the next.

Running from Monday, September 23 until Saturday, September 28, the 1978 comedy is classic Alan Ayckbourn.

For full details of festival events until October 27, contact the box office on 015394-88444.