St Paul's in Astley Bridge has just what the doctor ordered for its next production.

But it is all going a bit wrong for poor Dr Mortimore as the AODS group take on the farcical comedy It Runs in the Family, written by English playwright and actor Ray Cooney.

Set in Saint Andrews Hospital, the play contains the usual assortment of nonsensical nuts running in and out of doors mistaking everybody for someone else.

But the main focus is on Dr David Mortimore who has to try to fend off a paternity suit, an ex wife, a punkish daughter and various other lunatics so that he may, at last, deliver the Ponsonby Lecture in an international conference.

This will be the second production the theatre company has performed in its new location at The Village Hall in Darwen Road, Bromley Cross, after the Theatre Church was demolished.

Chairman Steve Brennan said: "This is our second production at the Village Hall after moving from the Theatre Church, which was shut down last year. We are very grateful to them for welcoming us back and for their continued friendliness and assistance to us."

"This year we welcome Allen Christey-Casson as our director. We chose the play because there are plenty of parts which all suit our members perfectly."

Set in London's most prestigious hospital, Dr Mortimore is delivering the 'Lecture of the Year' to a hundred of the world's leading physicians when his distraught mistress from 20 years ago turns up.

Tim Shorten takes on the role as the beleaguered doctor, Eileen Powell plays his wife Rosemary and Ian Duckworth is his faithful friend Dr Hubert Bonney.

Brendan Higgins is Dr Mike Connolly, Jenny Peters is the formidable matron, Robert Peters plays Sir Willowy Drake, and Carmela Horne is the doctor's former mistress Jane Tate.

Mr Brennan said: "A nurse and doctor had a fling 18 years ago and lo and behold she turns up at the surgery with her 18-year-old son, who wants to meet his dad. As you can imagine, the doctor is gobsmacked.

"It's a very funny play and everything is on track and going to plan, so we're really looking forward to it."

The play will run from Thursday, September 10 until Saturday, September 12. To book tickets contact 01204 315521.