AN award-winning play by a Leigh drama lecturer is packing in the crowds.

Julie McKiernan, from Charles Street, was inspired by the tragedy of Donald Campbell -- the speed hero who died when his boat Bluebird crashed on Coniston in 1967. So she wrote "Tramping Like Mad" and entered it in the new Cumbrian Play Competition.

Julie, who teaches at Marshall Street College, tied for first place, and her work is being performed at The Theatre by the Lake in Keswick.

Earlier this year, Julie won the new Wigan Pier playwriting competition, and she will see this work performed there early in 2005.