YOUTH disorder has plummeted at an independent cinema after children under 15 were barred from screenings without a parent.

The Palace Cinema, Longridge, has become a peaceful "family cinema" six months after the tough new ban was brought in, owner Dorothy Williamson said.

Takings had not been affected and people were able to enjoy films without being interrupted by yobs shouting, using their mobile phones and throwing food, she added.

Mrs Williamson, 70, said: "It has made a vast difference. It is much more family orientated now. There is no trouble.

"The children were doing things like unscrewing the seats; just generally trying to wreck the place.

"I had enough one particular Saturday so I thought enough was enough, no accompanied children will ever come in here again.

"It was getting very difficult. You tell them to do something like turn their mobile phone off and they say no. What do you do? You can't touch them so you have to get the police which we don't want to do."

She said a major reason for the ban was youths would cause costly damage to the historic Market Place cinema, which Mrs Williamson has run for 30 years.

She said: "We were getting complaints from families and pensioners but also people in their 20s and 30s who had come to watch a film and were having it spoiled.

"The kids would go because they had nothing else to do. I feel sorry for those who would have come without their parents and sat quietly but their parents should bring them, it is a family cinema."

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans today said: "Three cheers to the cinema but I feel disappointed that there has been a group of young people who have destroyed it for the majority of young people.

"It is a sad reflection on our times."

The recently opened Vue multiplex cinema in Blackburn, at Peel Retail Park, Lower Audley Street, makes some screenings "gold class" where under 18s have to be accompanied by an adult.

Films shown after 10.30pm are open to over 18s only.