A VILLAGE pub could be receiving a grant for one of its rooms to be turned into a cinema.

The Rookhope Inn, in Rookhope, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, has followed the lead of other villages by supporting calls for a local cinema.

But the pub has gone one step further - by offering to screen films.

Licensee Chris Jones, 55, one of the founder members of the St Aidan's Trust, which promotes village activities, said: "We've got some luxury chairs that have been donated and we intend to buy a projector kit.

"We'd have our own makeshift cinema, playing all the big films in the back room of the pub."

The villagers are now waiting to hear whether they will get a full grant for the plans.

Daniel Bowmen, 15, and Richard Lomas, 25, from Rookhope, were selected by the trust to apply for the grant and find cash sponsors.

Last week, Daniel received approval for a £2,500 grant from the County Durham Foundation, an independent grant-giving charity.

Mr Lomas is waiting to hear from a Bradford-based company called UnLtd, which provides grants to young people, on whether his request for help has been successful.

Mr Jones said: "Of course we are hoping they will say yes. We think they will.

"As soon as they do, we will buy a DVD projector with a big screen and surround sound."

Published: 29/03/2005