INNOCENT mistakes on housing estates form the plot of a cautionary tale by Alan Ayckbourn, at Malvern's Coach House Theatre.

The Huddersfield-based Dick and Lottie company return to the stage with their production of escalating drama on the Bluehill Hill housing estate, where residents "take extreme measures to protect themselves".

A spokesman for the production, Neighbourhood Watch, said: "Brother and sister Martin and Hilda Massie live together, leading a quiet, Christian existence.

"Just as they are preparing for a housewarming gathering, their peace is shattered by a young trespasser in their garden. The Massies' neighbours congregate in their living room and together they agree to form a neighbourhood watch group to safeguard against further incidents."

But the crisis escalates when the Massies' beloved garden gnome, Monty. is thrown through their window, and when Martin begins a burgeoning romance with Amy, wife of Gareth, who was formerly involved with Luther, husband of Magda.

The spokesman added:"What begins as a well-intentioned scheme for a safer community ends in violence and acrimony."

“This is Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play and the dramatist is as bang on the money as ever. Though written before the recent riots, Neighbourhood Watch seems eerily prescient about law, public order and feral youth."

Neighbourhood Watch comes to the Malvern venue on Tuesday, February 16 and Wednesday, February 17.

Tickets and further details on, www.wegottickets.com/DickandLottie