MOVIE enthusiasts will have the chance to capture a permanent memento of a magical night out at the pictures when a huge archive of British cinema posters comes up for sale in Swindon.

More than 350 original posters, all in fine condition, will go under the hammer at Dominic Winter Book Auctions on Wednesday, December 12.

The archive, which once belonged to an independent cinema owner, contains many rarities and posters advertising movies such as Rosemary's Baby, Midnight Cowboy and Easy Rider.

"This is a very fine archive and one of the biggest we have seen in recent years," said the auctioneers' documents expert Richard Westwood-Brookes.

"Cinema posters have been very popular with collectors over the past decade, with many people realising that the unique poster style associated with the cinema is an art form in its own right.

"Posters such as these are very attractive to frame and put on the wall."

Films covered range from serious drama to Carry On movies and James Bond classics as well as many of the low budget horror and skinflick movies of the 60s and 70s.

There is also a group of double bill posters, recalling the days when a cinema visit could include two main features back to back such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on the same bill as MASH.

Many of the posters have been lotted in groups of around 30, with price estimates ranging between £50 and £100 for the group.

Some of the rarer and cult movies such as Last Tango In Paris are being sold individually with estimates ranging between £80 and £100 each.