An amateur dramatics society is gearing up to perform its fourth show since forming just two years ago.

The East Peckham Russet Players have only been performing together since 2012, but founder, Marilyn Apps, was given a Community Enhancement Award in spring last year for the group's work.

They are now embarking on a new production, 'Neighbourhood Watch', a dramatic comedy by playwright Alan Ayckbourn.

The piece, which will be directed by 58-year-old Belinda Prince, is set to be performed in November at the East Peckham Village Hall.

It is about a brother and sister who set up a neighbourhood watch group following an innocent mistake on their estate, however it leads to an alarming escalation of events.

This is the first play that Mrs Prince, of Bush Road in East Peckham, will direct since winning the school Shakespeare prize at the age of 14 for her part in the direction of Julius Ceasar.

"In total I have played in 36 production over those years, both plays and musicals, singing, dancing and just straight acting" - Belinda Prince...

She has been involved in the Kent amateur dramatic scene for more than 20 years and made her adult debut in the Shoreham Players' 1994 production of Sandy Wilson's 'The Boyfriend' as Maisie, a 17 year old socialite.

The mum-of-four, who is a former procurement director for Cancer Research UK, added: "In total I have played in 36 production over those years, both plays and musicals, singing, dancing and just straight acting.

"One of my favourite plays and my role in it was the Stag Theatre Company’s 2003 production of Alan Ayckbourn’s – “Chorus of Disapproval”.

"When the recently formed Russet Players started looking for a new play and someone new to direct, I was happy to hold up my hand and give it a go, and Alan Ayckbourn seemed an ideal choice, a prolific playright with a fantastic reputation for comedy who would put “bums on seats”.

"I found “Neighbourhood Watch” quite by chance and thought it ideal for our next production – fortunately, the rest of the group thought the same."

The performances will take place in East Peckham Village Hall in Bush Road on Friday, November 28 at 8pm and Saturday, November 29 at 3pm and 8pm.

For more info visit: therussettplayers.weebly.com