THE dream of a silver screen complex for the Ribble Valley has been shattered.

But cinema buffs John and Dorothy Williamson are determined to re-build their plans to turn the Palace in Longridge into one of the area's top entertainment centres.

The couple, who have owned the cinema for over 20 years, had hoped for grant funding from the National Lottery to transform the cinema into a twin screen complex and family bowling centre.

But their initial bid for cash for a feasibility study has not been sucessful. Mr Williamson, who also manages the Civic Hall in Clitheroe for Ribble Valley Borough Council, said: "It has certainly wrecked our plans, but only for the time being.

"When we first heard the news we had decided to give up. Then, after a couple of night's sleep, we thought, why should we give our plans up just because of a few setbacks?

"We are back to the drawing board as far as finding cash is concerned, but we are as determined as ever."

Planning permission for the project has already been granted.

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