ELDERLY residents in sheltered housing have had their monthly film afternoons axed for fear of new Government red tape.

Pensioners in two developments have been deprived of the much-loved event by changes in rules regarding the communal showing of DVDs of movies and television programmes.

The residents, some in their 90s and one aged 102, live in Showley Court in Salesbury and Vale House in Whalley.

They have enlisted Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans in a campaign to reinstate the sessions.

He is calling on the Government to exempt sheltered housing developments from the £1,500-a-year non-theatrical film licence officials demand for hosting such activities.

Up to a dozen residents watched films ranging from Ealing comedies such as The Ladykillers and classics including Brief Encounter to the 2004 drama Ladies in Lavender.

The also enjoyed TV period drama including the BBC’s When the Boat Comes in.

Organisers Janet Parker, 79, at Vale House, and Peggy Sherbourne, 78, at Showley Court, invited Mr Evans to visit and meet the film fans.

Mrs Sherbourne, originally from Blackburn, said: “We are all very disappointed. We are hopeful Mr Evans can get things changed.”

Mrs Parker, who comes from Burnley, said: “Everyone really looked forward to the film afternoons. It was vital social contact for us. Some are in their 90s and one, Elizabeth Higginbotham, is 102.”

Owners of the two developments, Onward Homes, said the firm had to comply with the law.

Mr Evans, who has written to Culture Secretary Matt Hancock, said: “This is red tape gone mad.

“These heavy-handed and totally unnecessary changes will damage residents' morale and social life. They will lead to an increase in loneliness in sheltered accommodation throughout the UK.

“These are free events for all the residents that should absolutely not be subject to commercial licensing. Where is the compassion and common sense?

“When there are real fears loneliness is increasing, it is a backwards step to change legislation so it makes it too expensive to hold social events.

“ I cannot imagine it was ever intended to extend to places such as Showley Court and Vale House, but unfortunately these are the places that will be most deeply affected.

“ I have written to Matt Hancock to request a redefinition of licensing laws to ensure that groups in sheltered accommodation can watch movies in a communal setting.”

Dave Mayner, Onward’s regional director for Lancashire, said: “Having found ourselves in this situation we do sympathise with our tenants.

“This was not a decision with took lightly, but we own and manage 65 sheltered schemes across the North West and have to comply with the law.”

A Government spokesman said: “Some licensing bodies consider that any showing of a film in communal areas of buildings like sheltered accommodation constitute a public performance and so a licence is required.”

Mr Evans letter tells Mr Hancock: “It is with the emphasis on removing loneliness in our communities that I urge you to revisit legislation on licensing laws."