VOLUNTEER usherettes and ice cream sellers are being sought to help out at Clitheroe's community Cinema.

The Ribble Valley Volunteering Development Project is appealing for volunteers to help with the day-to-day running of the Grand Cinema, York Street.

There are opportunities to work in the box office as well as positions for ushers, usherettes and ice cream and sweet sellers.

A month ago, residents from across the Ribble Valley were asked to roll up their sleeves and help clean up the York Street cinema after it was shut for six weeks.

The Civic Cinema, renamed The Grand, was bought by Ultraframe boss John Lancaster earlier this year and he has pledged £3million from his charitable foundation to expand and transform the building into a centre with a cinema, a theatre, sound recording studios and rehearsal rooms an alcohol-free bar and a cyber cafe. But although Mr Lancaster's foundation, which supports a variety of charities and projects, is donating the money to cover the building work, the Trinity Partnership must raise the money to keep the cinema open.

A grand reopening ceremony is planned for May 13 with a screening of Whistle Down The Wind.

Local people who starred in the movie, filmed in Downham 40 years ago, are being sought by Clitheroe-based animator Mark Mason.

Dozens of local children were extras in the film which starred Alan Bates and Hayley Mills.

Other invited guests are the film's producer, Sir Richard Attenborough, director Bryan Forbes, Sir John Mills and his wife Mary Hayley Bell, who is the author of the book on which the film is based.

The cinema will be open until December, when it will close for nine months for refurbishment before its re-launch in September 2001.