A MOBILE cinema for the Selby area will be in operation by the end of the year after receiving the thumbs-up from local community groups.

Selby District Council is hoping to purchase the necessary DIY screen and projectors, dubbed "reels-on-wheels", after the system was given a thumbs-up at a demonstration staged at Selby Town Hall. The council has so far allocated £25,000 to the project, which it is hoped will raise funds for local community groups and increase access to low-cost entertainment.

Neil Hillier, the council's arts and cultural development officer, said: "This could be a way of keeping communities alive.

"The project has received interest from churches, village halls and youth groups."

Mr Hillier told the Evening Press that Selby District Council will maintain the service for the first year after which time they hope it will become self-financing.

People will be able to hire the equipment from the council for a fee and both sides will have a share of the takings. "This means the money goes back into the communities who use the service for other projects," said Mr Hillier.

It will also be possible for schools to book the equipment to show films relating to the curriculum.

A projectionist will be hired initially until villagers are trained to show films.

Updated: 13:47 Friday, March 14, 2003