HEREFORDSHIRE cinema-goers are currently not able to see a gang film that has been pulled from many venues around the country after an outbreak of violence.

The nearest place showing the film is the Odeon in Worcester.

The film tells the story of two friends from different south London postcodes on rival sides of a street war.

It is rated 15 for very strong language, strong violence, threat, sex, and drug misuse.

Showcase Cinemas pulled the film from their 21 branches across the UK following a similar move by Vue after a violent clash between gangs of youths, some armed with machetes, and the police at Star City, Birmingham, on Saturday (November 23).

Seven police officers were injured in the violence.

Six teenagers, including four 14-year-olds and a 13-year-old girl, were arrested in connection with the disorder and have been bailed by police. Vue runs 90 venues in addition to Star City.

A spokeswoman for Paramount UK said: "We were saddened to see the events that unfolded at Star City and our sympathies are with all those affected.

We feel that this is an important film, which we've seen play in more than 300 cinemas across the country, with incredibly positive reactions and fantastic reviews".

What is the film about?

A story of love and gang violence, Blue Story follows best friends Timmy and Marco, who go to the same high school in Peckham but live in neighbouring London boroughs.

In the film, Marco, played by Micheal Ward, is beaten up by one of Timmy's (Stephen Odubola) primary school friends and the two boys wind up on rival sides of a never-ending cycle of postcode gang war.

The film is written, directed and narrated by Rapman, real name Andrew Onwubolu, who also created the YouTube series Shiro's Story.

The three-part YouTube series, narrated through the medium of rap by Rapman, stars Joivan Wade as Shiro and has cameo appearances by Ashley Walters, Headie One, Not3s and the rapper Cadet, who was killed in a car crash on the way to a gig earlier this year.

Both the show and the film show Rapman breaking the fourth wall as he delivers a rapped commentary and documentary-style iPhone footage and TV news clips about gangs, guns and knife crime bookend the story.

In the trailer he raps: "I ain't trying to justify but Imma show you what these young boys are fighting for."