GAZETTE & HERALD: PLANS for the triumphant return of the silver screen to Calne in a state-of-the-art mobile cinema have suffered further delays.

Calne Town Council has pledged £10,000 to the project, which it hoped would be ready to premier the latest blockbuster movies in Calne town centre this spring.

But the decision by project organisers Purbeck Film Charitable Trust to create a separate company specifically to co-ordinate the scheme, has set the launch date back to the autumn.

Calne Town Council's community development officer Mark Wilkins admitted the council is disappointed, but added that the news had not dinted its commitment to the project.

"Whilst we are disappointed that the project has been delayed it is for understandable reasons, which may work out better for us in the long term," he said.

"Hopefully it will still get to Calne this year, but that now depends on the trust and we will keep an eye on the situation as it develops."

Mr Wilkins said the absence of a cinema in the town is a commonly raised issue.

He hopes that once the project is up and running there will be fortnightly showings in Calne.

"It is no longer feasible to have a permanent cinema in small market towns. This is bringing in the option where you can see the latest films locally, without the costs of a building and other overheads," he said.