CHANGES are being urged to head off future arguments about film classification.

Councillor Tim O'Kane, portfolio holder for environmental health, says the council should act to avoid potential problems now Accrington has its own cinema again.

He doesn't want a repeat of an incident in June when Ribble Valley Council upgraded the Spiderman film from a 12 rating, set by the British Board of Film Censors, to a 15.

"As a local authority we should go with the British Board of Film Censors," he said.

"I don't see why a council should be asked to rule or potentially overrule a professional board."

Coun O'Kane said there had been a similar incident when The Life of Brian was released in 1979.

"There were a lot of people locally, religious groups, saying it was blasphemous. But the then council said they had never seen a funnier film.

"I think it's appropriate to do it now. For the past 14 years it couldn't have been an issue but now we have issued a public entertainment licence to the cinema we have to take on that responsibility.

"There are going to be controversial films coming up. I can see it in years to come it's going to happen as sure as eggs are eggs."

Accrington's new four-screen cinema experienced teething problems when it opened on Friday when three of the four films didn't arrive in time for their scheduled screenings.

There were also problems with the emergency lighting, but manager Brandon Neal said it had been first night nerves.

"Everything is 100 per cent back on course. It was just a few little hiccups but everything is running smoothly now," he said.

The cinema is taking reservations for a preview of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Friday.