A PLAN for Ribble Valley's very own touring Cinema is expected to move a step closer this week.

Already showing films in Clitheroe's council chambers, the Ribble Valley Film Club hopes to take arthouse cinema to remote rural areas.

The touring picturehouse will visit village halls in quiet corners of the borough, bringing World Cinema to the likes of Dunsop Bridge, Gisburn and Mellor.

The brainchild of film club chairman Bruce Dowles, it would see each village have the option to show a film for one night or put on a mini-run of showings.

Arthouse cinema is usually made up of productions outside the big money Hollywood system, including independent and foreign language pictures.

In anticipation of the scheme getting backing from Ribble Valley councillors, Bruce has this week taken delivery of a new projector, DVD player and 12ft by 9ft screen, which have all been paid with £5,000 from the Awards for All lottery grant.

Bruce, who set up the film club three years ago, said: "We already show a number of films at the council chambers in Church Street and they have proved a success.

"This new equipment means we can now take a mobile cinema to any village venue that would be interested. Places like Dunsop Bridge would never have seen the like. People could have a great night out at the pictures and the village hall could make some money as well.

"We plan to charge each venue £50 to cover our costs and, if they charge £4 a ticket, they only need 12 people through the door to break even. After that they can only make money, so everyone's happy."

The club's proposal to bring cinema to the villages goes before councillors at tonight's parish council liaison committee. If, as recommended, members agree to back the plan, the council will be encouraged to put forward names of interested venues to the club.

Starting from Sunday, December 6, the film club will move from the council chambers to the parish hall, in Church Brow. Now called Stage and Screen at St Mary's Centre, the new cinema will show a different movie on the first Sunday of every month.

Village venues can contact the club on 01200 426757.

Films to be shown between December and May next year will be Son of the Bride, The Mother, Le Cercle Rouge, The Station Agent, Spellbound and Zatoichi.