Ricky Tomlinson gives his blessing to play about the 'Shrewsbury 24'

United We Stand will then go on a national tour. The play is written by Neil Gore, who approached Ricky Tomlinson, star of Brookside and The Royle Family, who was one of three building workers to be jailed in 1973 after being accused of violent picketing.

Ricky has given his blessing to the project. The 74-year-old actor, who does not appear in the play himself, said: "Neil and the company have got a good reputation for doing political plays.

"When he approached us to do one about the Shrewsbury pickets, we were a little bit wary at first as there's been that much written about it. But after meeting him we were quite happy to go ahead with it." He added: "I think the play will be interesting for people who have heard about the trial to go along. It's been quite difficult for Neil to condense it all into two hours. But they've done a good job."

Ricky added: "If it just makes people politically aware of what's going on that will be great."

United We Stand tells the story of the 24 building workers who were accused of violent picketing and intimidating workers during the industry's first national all-out strike, held in 1972 to try and seek better pay and conditions. The strike, and the tactics employed by the workers including the use of "flying pickets", subsequently led to the arrest of 24 builders in North Wales and the jailing of three, including Ricky and fellow worker Des Warren, after a trial at Shrewsbury in 1973.

Supporters have always believed the sentences to be political rather than judicial and, four decades on, the Shrewsbury 24 Campaign is still seeking to overturn what it says was the unjust conviction of the men.

United We Stand will be performed at the Lantern Theatre in Liverpool from September 24.