OPERATORS of Bromyard's first regular cinema in decades have pledged a mixture of the latest releases and classic films on demand.

The National Lottery has provided vital funding to complete the finance for the cinema project, which will be housed at the Conquest Theatre.

The Conquest Theatre Trust has now received £4,894 from Awards for All which, with £1,500 from Bromyard Town Council and some of its own funds, will enable the purchase of a DVD/VHS Lumins projector and motorised screen.

Although the town has been home to cinemas in the past, it is 54 years since the corrugated iron roof of the first Plaza in New Road collapsed under heavy snow and about 30 years since the second Plaza in the stables of the Falcon Hotel finally closed its doors.

Trustee Dorothy Pooley said: "First of all we will be showing films once a month, up to date films. We will be looking for what people want and are prepared to put on old films if there is a call for them. We will also consider putting films on more often, matinees and films for children.

"The nearest cinemas are in Hereford or Worcester, which means, particularly some older people, will find it a lot easier to have a local cinema."

The first planned showing in the new cinema will be on Friday, March 1, next year when free popcorn, from a new popcorn machine, will be given. Ticket prices are expected to be about £3.