RADCLIFFE will feature in a new play which tackles the issue of what it is like for members of the Muslim community to grow up in a predominantly white town.

Writer and director Lee Lomas, who was born and raised in Radcliffe, has drawn on his own experiences as inspiration for the 'true to life' drama, and has interviewed friends and associates from Radcliffe's Muslim community to get first-hand accounts for the work.

Mr Lomas, aged 28 who now lives in North London, has Coronation Street, Shameless, Casualty and The A Word among his credits. He is also due to appear in Hollyoaks for four episodes next month.

Sunrise for the Blind is his third play, following the success of Juke Box Baby and Pudding Black. It follows the lives of two young men who are stuck in a deprived area with a sense of constant hopelessness.

Mr Lomas, who operates as 1956 Entertainment, said: "I have written the play about my experiences whilst living in Radcliffe. I have never written anything true to my own life before.

"I was reaching my mid-20s and seeing some of the people I have grown up with and hearing their perspectives on life. It tied in with the working class mentality about how we are supposed to just work and make do with what we have got.

"I wanted to capture the essence of that in a piece of art.

"It is an important piece of theatre about how the working class are unrepresented in society, and the struggles we face when coming from that background.

"My play deals with lack of opportunity, people being a product of their environment and ongoing issues with pregnancy and racism in small towns."

The play follows the lives of lifelong best friends Nathan and Mark, who have become like brothers. When Nathan begins a relationship with local girl Ashley, he is soon taken under the wing of her racist brother, Johnny.

Meanwhile Mark works in the local shop and begins to form a tight bond with Leena. She is the mother of a young Asian man called Zeshan, who runs away from home to flee his father and the religious restrictions he is placing upon him after becoming involved with a white girl, Becci.

Mr Lomas added: "The dialogue is fast-paced and punchy with topical issues touched on throughout with use of black and satirical comedy.

"The story shines a light on a part of society that is living below the working-class in near poverty conditions, whilst highlighting issues with ongoing racism in the UK."

Sunrise for the Blind will premiere at the Salford Arts Theatre on Thursday, October 18, with a second performance on Saturday, October 20. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start.

Tickets, at £10 or £8 for concessions, can be purchased at www.salfordartstheatre.com.