A successful amateur dramatic group starts its diamond anniversary celebrations this spring by performing Neighbourhood Watch.

The Wisbech Players’ spring offering is the amateur production of Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s 75th play.

Directing will be Linda Ekins and rehearsals are under way for performances at the Angles Theatre from April 22-26.

In the normally quiet confines of the Bluebell Hill Development a housewarming’s peace is shattered by a young trespasser in the garden. The neighbours agree to form a neighbourhood watch group to safeguard against further incidents.

But matters swiftly escalate after a garden gnome is thrown through the window – and is complicated further by romance.

What begins as a well-intentioned scheme for a safer community ends in violence and acrimony.

The show is suitable for over-14s. Tickets are available now – they cost £11 for adults, £9 for concessions. Call the Angles box office on 01945 474447.

The group will also perform RC Sheriff’s Journey’s End, which will be performed at the Angles from November 4-8, as part of the centenary commemorations of the outbreak of the First World War.

Formed by a group of enthusiastic amateurs, the Wisbech Players formed in 1954. Its first production was a Spanish play called A Hundred Years Old.

Since then the players have produced a wide variety of plays with recent productions including TV comedies like Fawlty Towers and classic drama The Deep Blue Sea, which was awarded best drama, best technical design and best production shield at the Eastern Region National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) awards in 2012.

The group enjoyed a successful year in 2013, during which two productions took place at the Angles.

Are You Being Served was directed by Linda Ekins, making her debut for the society, and in the autumn David Lewis directed for the first time, choosing a Moliere classic Tartuffe.

Being in verse broke new ground for the players and proved to be a successful production, being nominated for best play in this year’s NODA awards which are held in April.