TOWNSFOLK are calling on the owner of the Regal cinema to pay for a ceiling inspection out of the money he got from the sale of the Bingo Hall just before Christmas.

Last week Journal readers learned John Angel had refused to pay for work on the Grade II-listed cinema to enable the Regal to get its licence renewed.

He has got until August 31 to get the work done or the cinema will have to close down putting 12 staff out of work.

Now townsfolk have contacted the Journal, and besieged Regal staff with their protests.

One, who did not wish to be named, said: "He sold the Bingo Hall before Christmas last year - why doesn't he use some of that money?

"The inspection will only cost him about £1,000, and will enable the Regal to stay open until it is sold."

Even the youngsters are upset. Sam Bowles from Cheltenham Road said: "I'm only eight and I like to see films with my granny who comes from Cirencester.

"She likes to come to the Regal because it reminds her of when she was little and she's 65 now."

Manager of the cinema, Irene McKenzie, said: "We were very surprised to read the news in the Journal but I am unable to comment further at this stage."

Chief film technician, Brian Houghton, who has worked at the Regal in Port Street and the former Clifton cinema in the High Street since the 1950s, said: "It would be a sad day for Evesham if the last cinema in Wychavon were to close.

"I am just as keen on my job as ever and would be delighted if someone would come along and invest in it."

Mr Angel announced before Christmas after he sold the Bingo Hall in the High Street, that he wanted to sell the Port Street cinema as soon as he could.

He was unavailable for comment this week.