TOP comic and committed conservationist Griff Rhys Jones has backed our campaign to save York's Odeon cinema.

The Welshman, who fronts BBC's Restoration programme, which seeks to breathe new life into listed buildings, has joined us in our fight to preserve the historic Blossom Street picture house.

In a letter to Tim Addyman, one of the campaign team, the comedian says the Odeon is an "important building of its type and a real treasure".

"For goodness sake, we all still go to the cinema, it's still an important art form, it's still a thriving industry," Griff says.

"I really believe that short-term economic gain will be long-term economic loss. These great picture houses are getting rarer and will have a value far into the future if companies can stick with them. So, much power to your collective elbows."

Griff is best known for his comic partnership with Mel Smith, on shows such as Alas, Smith and Jones.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to sign our petition, which was taken out to shoppers in Parliament Street on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Hob Moor Community Primary School collected 226 signatures, while Alfred Jones (Spar), in Mill Lane, Heworth, and Dringhouses Newsagent, in Tadcaster Road, gathered dozens more.

Updated: 10:38 Tuesday, February 24, 2004