A COUNCIL leader has exercised emergency powers to upgrade the rating of the controversial new movie 'Spider-Man' when it opens in Clitheroe tomorrow.

The last time a film rating was overturned at the independent Clitheroe Grand Cinema in York Street was for Monty Python's 'Life of Brian' in 1979.

Hollywood blockbuster 'Spider-Man' opened in the UK this week with a '12' rating from the British Board of Film Censors.

But Ribble Valley council leader Chris Holtom has overturned the rating to give the film a 'PG,' which means cinemagoers under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

The film is based on the famous comic strip about a teenage boy who develops superhuman powers after being bitten by a genetically-modified spider.

It stars Toby Maguire as Spider-Man and Hollywood babe Kirstin Dunst love interest Mary-Jane Watson.

It has already beaten Star Wars in the box office takings battle in America, but has caused controversy with its high levels of "fantasy violence."

Local authorities have the power to overrule the national film censors and the Ribble Valley Council has followed Burnley's example in stepping up the 'Spider-Man' rating.

Other cinemas in the area, including the Apollo in Blackburn town centre, are showing the film as a '12'.

Council leader Chris Holtom said there had been widespread unease about the film and he had decided to "play it safe" by overturning the recommended '12' rating.

"I listened to the views of people in the film industry, chief officers at the Ribble Valley Council and officers from Burnley Council, which has also upgraded the rating.

"There seems to be widespread concern about the film and I have to say it's rather lively in parts.

"I therefore took the decision to play it safe and exercised my emergency powers to change the rating to PG, as I didn't want the council to receive criticism from concerned parents."

'Spider-Man' opens at the Grand Cinema on Friday and runs for a week, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Cinema manager Clare Pearson said: "I approached the Ribble Valley Council and asked it to step in and make a decision about the film's rating following concern elsewhere in the country.

"The council has dealt with the matter quickly and efficiently to the satisfaction of everyone."

The Grand Cinema, formerly known as the Civic Cinema, was run by the Cullen sisters, who never showed an X-rated film during their 50-year stint as proprietors.

By THERESA ROBSON

SPIDER-MAN Some observers have been disturbed by the film's level of 'fantasy violence'

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