HE may be in jail, but you can't keep writer, former Tory MP and erstwhile Lord Mayor of London hopeful Jeffrey Archer down.

Stratford's Avonside Players are due to put on Archer's Beyond Reasonable Doubt, a courtroom drama, at the Wesley Hall, Old Town, next week.

Cast member Bill Giles said the cast and director, Stratford town councillor Maureen Beckett, had no qualms about putting on the disgraced writer's play because it is a very good story.

"We haven't had any moral feeling that we shouldn't be doing this. We hope people won't be put off by the fact that Jeffrey Archer is the author," said Bill.

The play, which ran very successfully for 18 months in the West End with a cast including Wendy Craig and Frank Finlay, gives the audience the chance to act as the jury and promises a surprising twist at the end.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt is being performed on November 22, 23 and 24 at 7.30pm. Tickets, which cost £4 for adults, £3 for senior citizens and £2 for children, are available from the Civic Hall box office on 01789 414513 or at the door.