ONE of East Lancashire's last remaining independent picture houses has been saved from closure by a youth and community group.

The Trinity Community Partnership has been given the go-ahead to run Clitheroe Civic Hall Cinema for three years.

The little cinema, famed for its Tudor beams and "courting seats", has been threatened with closure since it was revealed it was costing taxpayers £40,000 a year in subsidy.

Now Ribble Valley Council's community committee has approved a scheme that will see the popular venue turned into a multi-arts centre.

Councillors heard Trinity Community Partnership proposed to introduce a Sunday Film Club, holiday matinee sessions for youngsters, educational film weeks linked to the national curriculum and theme nights.

There would be late-night opening at weekends, an annual arts festival, membership scheme, concerts, plays and a cafe bar.

Coun Graham Sowter said: "I am particularly impressed by the enthusiasm of the Trinity Partnership and we should seize this opportunity."

Coun Stephen Sutcliffe described the Trinity bid as a clear winner which would improve the cinema and attract large audiences.

Councillors unanimously backed the scheme after hearing it provided the strongest option for attracting capital investment for the venue which needs major refurbishment.

The Trinity Partnership beat a rival bid from Preston Film Services, which currently runs the cinema, and is expected to take over the venue next April.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.