THEATRE fans have brought cinema back to a town which lost its only picture-house 40 years ago.

Volunteers from an amateur theatrical group and a local charity have joined forces to make the silver screen's return to Knaresborough a reality.

The cinema has been created in the 130-seat Frazer Theatre, owned by Knaresborough Players.

A trial run of films proved so successful that the venture is ready to roll with a programme of films. Cash to buy cinema equipment costing £3,000 has been provided by Knaresborough Lions.

A season of Knaresborough's "return of the 'flicks" starts on Wednesday with Gosford Park, followed by Brief Encounter, Singing in the Rain and Chocolat.

Knaresborough Players' Gladys Nowell, part of a team spearheading the initiative, said residents complained about having to travel out of town to see films and a poll among youngsters had put the need for a cinema high on their list of priorities.

Lions' president Paul Yeomans said local people previously had to travel to York or Harrogate to see films.

"There is a nostalgic appeal to this, but it also provides an intimate alternative to the large multi- cinema complex," he said.