THE award-winning Wythall Theatre Company returns to the Palace Theatre this week with a chilling tale of death and double crossing.

Blood Money is a psychological thriller involving Mike Mason, star of television's Bargain Basement and his wife Liz, who killed young Carol Mitchell in a hit-and-run car accident seven years ago.

Now it seems they have at last been found out as mysterious telephone calls are received from someone claiming to be Carol and her name appears on Mike's living room wall etched in blood.

Then Liz thinks she is being followed. One night, having returned from a television awards ceremony, the house is plunged into darkness and shots ring out into the night.

Are Sue Thompson, the pretty neighbour who Mike is having an affair with, or Dr Julie Campbell, who treats Liz at a centre for alcoholics, involved?

Palace Theatre publicity officer Paul Hughes said: "If you don't suffer from a nervous disposition and you are not afraid of the dark then this sizzling tale of intrigue, murder, death and double cross is for you."

Roger Warren, best actor at Birmingham's Festival of Acting and Musical Entertainment Peripatetic Festival with Wythall Theatre Company's production of Straight and Narrow stars as Mike Mason.

Also starring is Sue Lister as Liz, Abby Stonehall as Sue Thompson and Joy Rodgers as Dr Julie Campbell, who also won an award at the Birmingham festival for best set dressing.

Performances of Blood Money take place at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday and from Wednesday, May 30, until Saturday, June 2.

Tickets cost £7, £6 (disc rate) or £5 (with Reddicard) from the box office on 65203 or 68484.