The St Neots Players are celebrating a successful performance of a play, written by one of their own, all about an assassin from the town.

Assassination was written by Glenys Shaw, who is a St Neots player herself. The play tells the story of a man called John Bellingham.

John Bellingham was born in St Neots around 1796. He was imprisoned in Russia from 1804-09 after a business deal he struck up went wrong.

Nigel Moorhouse as John Bellingham giving evidence at the Old Bailey.Nigel Moorhouse as John Bellingham giving evidence at the Old Bailey. (Image: Geoff Murphy) Once he returned to Britain he petitioned everyone, including the Prince Regent to the Prime Minister, seeking compensation for the money he lost on the deal.

He was rebuffed at every turn, which led him to assassinate the then Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval, on May 11, 1812.

Within a week, Bellingham was arrested, found guilty and hung on May 18, 1812.

Liz Davies, Chair of the Friends of St Neots Museum, said that the play was met with a "great success". It was performed to an audience of 140 people.

Glenys Shaw, of the St Neots Players (seated), who wrote and directed the play receives flowers from Liz Davies, Chair of the Friends of St Neots Museum.Glenys Shaw, of the St Neots Players (seated), who wrote and directed the play receives flowers from Liz Davies, Chair of the Friends of St Neots Museum. (Image: Geoff Murphy)

Liz gave a talk after the interval of the play to discuss the economic depression in the 1800s and how it led to several merchants encouraging Bellingham to commit the crime.