THE Palace Cinema in Cinderford has been brought bang up to date with the installation of two new state of the art NEC digital cinema projectors.

Replacing the cinema's 35mm film projectors, they will secure the future of the Palace as a working cinema as 35mm film is being phased out in 2013.

In addition it will now be possible to continue showing the best most recent films and a wider variety of non-mainstream films and 'alternative content'.

Owners Andy and Karen Lougher said would like to thank the Forest Local Action Group (LAG) for their grant of £35,853 to cover the installation costs. The grant will also make possible further improvements to the cinema which are due to be completed later this summer.

"We would like to thank everyone who signed a letter of support that was sent with the grant application and was certainly a great help in securing the grant," they say.

"We were overwhelmed by the number of signatures local people put on the letter of support for the project and immensely encouraged by this."

The changeover was filmed for posterity by local production company Bearleft.tv and will be posted on Youtube once edited.

"The new projectors give an improved picture quality and will also allow us to screen alternative content such as opera, live theatre and concert performances and a more diverse choice of films," say the owners.

"Changing films from one screen to another for disabled access will be much easier as we will not have to physically move the large heavy reels of film up and down stairs each time."

Neil Batt, programme manager for the Local Action Group, says: "We are very happy to be supporting such a popular and worthwhile attraction, which will also bring additional visitors and spend into the area."

To find out more about funding opportunities through Forest of Dean Local Action, contact the team on 01594 812 608 or email neil.batt@fdean. gov.uk