Years after the final credits rolled at the old Regal cinema in Wells, big screen entertainment is set to return to the town with a grand opening of the Screen-next-the-Sea.

Years after the final credits rolled at the old Regal cinema in Wells, big screen entertainment is set to return to the town with a grand opening of the Screen-next-the-Sea.

And cinema-goers have been snapping up tickets to see a screening of the 2007 film, And When did you last see your Father? starring Colin Firth, Jim Broadbent, Matthew Beard, Juliet Stevenson and Gina McKee. The films are being screened at The Granary Theatre in Staithe Street on Monday .

It is hoped that the monthly screenings will become a regular feature in the town and already the organising committee have booked films for July with two in August.

The choice of the film, And When Did You Last See Your Father? as the inaugural film was because of its wide appeal and the calibre of its actors and actresses. All tickets at £5 each have been sold for the 7pm evening showing although tickets are still available for the afternoon screening starting at 4pm.

The films are being hired and members of the six-strong committee behind the project have put in some of their own money until cash starts coming in from tickets sales. Equipment, including the screen and projection apparatus also has to be hired. It is hoped in the long term to buy its own equipment.

The whole idea to bring back film screenings in the town came from an autumn season of Italian films put on by the Workers Educational Association. The films, at the town's Quaker Meeting House, attracted capacity audiences and following further discussions the idea took off and people became really keen for it to happen.

“We very much did not want this to become an exclusive film club but wanted it to be for the whole community as another amenity for the town. We have kept the ticket prices at £5 and £3.50 for children so that it would not exclude anyone,” said committee secretary Joolz Saunders.

The second film is due to be shown on July 14 and is the story of Edith Piaff's life, La Vie En Rose which won actress Marian Cotillard a BAFTA and an Oscar for her role as Piafff.

On August 11 Definitely Maybe is being shown and later that month, on August 25, is a Jacques Tati double bill.

“We are very excited about this project and committee members have had training on how to operate the film equipment. In the longer term we hope to be able to buy our own film projection equipment,” said Mrs Saunders.

Tickets for the afternoon showing can be booked by contacting 01328 710193 or calling at Kinsley shop on Staithe Street.