A SECOND cinema screen will be installed in Durham's Gala Theatre to meet demand.

The city lost its independent cinema, The Robins, at the turn of the year when the building's owners agreed a deal to turn it into an Australian-themed nightspot.

The cinema had been particularly popular with university students and youngsters. Following the closure, the nearest cinemas were at Newcastle, Boldon and Gateshead's MetroCentre.

Then in May Durham City Council opened a 120-seat cinema screen in the Gala theatre showing the latest blockbusters.

The council says that the move has been successful and that a £160,000 second screen will improve the service and increase takings at the theatre.

The council has been running the Gala since the collapse of the management firm - which it hired when under Labour control - with debts of £750,000.

Last year the venue needed a subsidy of £900,000 but the council, now led by the Liberal Democrats, says this is now down to £400,000.

The new screen, smaller than the original and with fewer seats, is likely to be installed in the area where visitors can see Sacred Journey, the £1m film on Durham's history that was produced as part of the theatre's development.

"The first screen has made a big difference,'' said Carol Woods, the council cabinet's finance portfolio holder. "I think the second screen will make a huge difference.

"It will allow a new film to be shown every week and will increase the choice. We did say we would try to get a cinema.

"There was already one screen and two screens makes it better.

"The Gala is picking up. There are very few theatres in the country that run without a subsidy.

"We have tightened up a lot on budgetary controls and we have reorganised it. It has made a big difference.''

A spokesman for the Gala said that with only one screen the latest releases were shown for two weeks but a second screen would enable the theatre to show a new release each week or screen a blockbuster and run themed events concentrating on areas such as 'arthouse' films.

He said: "We wouldn't look at it unless there was a demand.''

Sacred Journey, made by local film-maker Brendan Quayle, would still be shown.