Martin, a leading light with the Beeston based drama group, excelled himself in a one-man offering that owed much to his individual talent, expressive facial expressions and superb timing.

Written by Steven Dinsdale Anorak of Fire was brought to life by Martin who kept his audience thoroughly entertained during a 40-minute offering which reflected the highs and lows of train-spotting.

Complete with woolly hat, compulsory anorak, flask, sandwiches, and notebook, Gus leaves no stone unturned in his bid to spot every train in England, and not even the alluring charms of attractive females can stop him in his tracks.

There are half a million spotters in England but few are as dedicated as Gus Gascoigne, the James Bond of trainspotting, on occasions shaken, but never stirred, not even when he comes face to face with arch enemy Eric Spate, a spotter in the big league.

Anorak of Fire showed the merits of Martin, a class act in a company whose players have come a long way since Riverside's formation in 1992.

The drama group boasts a fine team of amateur players whose talents were put on show in the first play of the double bill, lain Armstrong's Growing Pains.

This poignant study of a married couple's strained relationship and the trials and tribulations they encounter whilst bringing up their son from his birth, to his tragic death at the age of 17, certainly hits the mark.

Liz Turner and Paul Norris as the doting parents, handled their respective roles with sensitivity, complementing each other in a play which follows their fortunes through a series of crucial chapters in their lives.  Despite the husband's infidelity, the couple Mary and Frank still manage to keep their marriage alive and Andrew's death in a motorbike accident brings them closer together.

Directed by Pat Tuffin, Growing Pains provided opportunities for newcomers to make a bow and Holly Wilcockson, Amy Holden and Rachael Meller did little wrong on their Riverside debuts.

Completing the line up, of players were Eileen Chamberlain (matron), Janet Bradbery (nursery teacher), Bob Baron, and John Lomas, who together gave solid support.

Staging the one-act plays during the summer season was a gamble by the Riverside team and those that attended either of the two performances at Long Eaton's Duchess Theatre were given full value by a company which goes from strength to strength.

For details about the group visit its website on www.riversidedrama.com