PLANS to provide Calne with a regular cinema have moved a step closer after councillors agreed to back the cinemobile project.

The cinemobile, which provides a 100-seat, air-conditioned cinema complex, can be up and running within 15 minutes of arriving at a site.

The project was based originally in Dorset, but because of a National Lottery grant, which will cover most of the setting up costs, the cinemobile will be able to visit areas other counties.

Calne's Young People's Town Council had expressed an interest in it, and The Purbeck Film Trust which has organised the project, said it would be prepared to bring the cinemobile to the town.

It is now seeking a £10,000 contribution from Calne, so that the cinemobile could be set up fortnightly over a period of three years. There would be three showings on each visit.

The town council agreed to support the project in principle and has asked the young people's council to prepare a presentation to the policy and resources committee, which will decide whether to fund the project.

Young people's council member Paul Smith, said: "I think it's brilliant and will go some way towards bringing a cinema back into town. As long as it shows films people want to see I think young people will go and use it."

The group has already set up a monthly show, but the films are usually a few months old by the time they are rented.

The next film evening will be on April 19 and notices will be posted.