FORMER projectionist Wilf Waterworth wants to hear from anyone who actually saw a cinema show at Leigh's former Theatre Royal (later Leigh Casino/Reubens) .

Last week, after research in a local history book, I wrote that the former theatre, built in 1884, which could soon be turned into an upmarket all day cafe bar-bar, became a cinema in 1909.

Wilf says the story may give the impression of a conventional cinema, but it was in fact in 1913 that "kinema coloured pictures" were shown twice daily for a short period.

As far as he knows there was never a true projection booth behind either the rear balcony or back stage -- and Wilf should know.

He was a cinema projectionist at the Regal and Bedford Picturedrome from 1943 to 1950 and visited all but two cinemas in Leigh, plus the Theatre Royal, to collect union dues.

He says no films were shown there during that period and in fact in his early years in the 30s and 40s he enjoyed many variety shows there, but saw no films.

Though he admits getting on in years and the old memory box is not what it was, he would welcome info from any readers who remembers seeing a film show there -- just to prove or disprove the story.

Over to you.