An amateur dramatics society based in Abbots Langley is set to feature in a Royal Shakespeare Company project.

The Abbots Langley Players have been chosen by the Royal Shakespeare Company to feature in its Open Stages project.

The project will see amateur theatre groups work with the RSC to create their own production and then present it at the amateur group’s own venue. The Royal Shakespeare Company will provide training and mentoring throughout the project.

Abbots Langley Players will be performing Peter Whelan’s "The Herbal Bed" and will be staged in April 2015, under the banner of a "Royal Shakespeare Company Open Stages Production".

Sarah Cunnane, committee member for the group, said: "I’m absolutely thrilled - when we put in the bid, we never dreamed that it might be accepted. To have our small village group recognised at a national level is a real source of pride for me and for the group as a whole and I’m really looking forward to seeing what the year ahead will bring."

While applying to the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Abbots Langley Players said that their project will involve as many local residents as possible and would reflect "the depth and diversity of cultural activity in the village."

A working Jacobean herb garden, which will feature in the set in the production, will be donated to Abbots Langley after the show.

Colette Holmes, director of the project, said: "We are thrilled to be one of fewer than 100 groups taking part in this prestigious RSC project. We are now keen to hear from village groups or individuals that might like to be involved in the production - the more the merrier."