FILM lovers in Tenbury have received a boost with news that the town's Regal Cinema is expected to reopen over the summer.

Grants have been secured to install a new sound system and it is hoped film shows can resume around August. The UK Film Council has granted half the total cost of £8,000. Tenbury Town Council is contributing £3,000 and Malvern Hills District Council is adding a further £1,000.

Coun Jonathan Morgan, chairman of the Regal and entertainments committee, said: "It's a good thing for the town and the sooner we get the cinema open the better it will be.

"It's an asset to Tenbury and there are not too many small towns that have their own cinema nowadays."

The town's mayor, Coun Maureen Pardoe, added: "It is extremely good news and very welcome. We can now go ahead and get the cinema reopened."

Phil Grove, who sits on Tenbury Town Council and Malvern Hills District Council, described the news as "brilliant".

He added: "This shows what can happen when different groups work together and I would like to thank all the bodies involved. We look forward to people coming back and supporting the cinema and hopefully there will be a vast improvement."

The cinema has been closed since the end of last year due to problems with sound quality, although other events have continued at the venue. A pre-inspection meeting with the company who will install the new equipment has been arranged.

Meanwhile, an application has also been made to Awards For All for £5,000 to pay for business and conservation plans. When they are ready, the plans will determine whether an application will be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund to finance further renovations.

"We hope to make the Regal sustainable for the future and ensure that it is suitable for modern audiences," said Manda Graham, arts officer for Malvern Hills District Council.