RESIDENTS of Burley-in-Wharfedale are enjoying the benefits of a cinema in their own village - housed in a church.

And the venue at Salem United Reformed Church is fast becoming a social hub for people in the community.

The Jungle Book was on show in May and played to a packed house of 40 people, ranging from children to nonagenarians.

The Rev Mirella Moxon said: "So far the cinema has been a huge success. For The Jungle Book last week we had lots of littlies' because it was half-term, but also older people. It was very much a family affair."

The cinema has been up and running since February in the Church Hall, and Mrs Moxon has been showing a movie chosen to appeal to everybody about once a month.

So far, the audience has been treated to Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, the Jungle Book and The Queen, and there is always a B movie like Creature Comforts, as well.

"We are mindful of those who are older and also target the general public - we are not putting on children's films exclusively," said Mrs Moxon. "From time to time we will have a more Christian theme, for example over Christian Aid week, but the main thing will always be standard films. The whole thing is our opportunity to reach out to the community."

People visit the cinema by invitation, which extends to all the groups that meet in the Church Hall, such as the mums and toddlers groups, and the other churches in Burley. The films are shown for free and popcorn and ices are served up for a small donation.

The response from local mums and dads has been great because of the welcoming atmosphere says Mrs Moxon.

"It can be so expensive to go to the cinema, particularly with young children, and mums and dads don't necessarily want that kind of experience. Here, you are not embarrassed if your baby cries. You can wander out and we will try to build on that," she said.

She is also considering setting up an afternoon silver screen showing musicals and Fred Astaire films to appeal to older viewers.

The idea for setting up the cinema came from a Northumberland church that set up a similar project, called Christ at the Roxy, last year.

That congregation had transformed a run-down church into a vibrant and unusual meeting place, which was the inspiration for Mrs Moxon.

"I thought: we are a little church too, although not run down, and it would be great do something in the community that makes us a bit different from everybody else," she said.

Concerns about whether a small church could cope with the finance and health and safety aspects of the cinema were discussed and the nitty gritty of getting a licence was investigated before enthusiastic volunteers set about making the idea a reality.

It took about a year to get everything in place, make sure the equipment would work and get the volunteers together. The first problem was that the church needed to fit a new fire alarm system, which cost £3,000, and also enable disabled access.

After that, the Moxon family bought the cinema projector, Bradford Community Chest awarded a grant of £400 to buy the screen and the church invested in a surround-sound system that cost about £700.

In order to help cover costs, this year's summer event at the church on June 30 will be bigger and better than ever. The afternoon garden party will have live music, a bouncy castle, cake stall, afternoon teas and a tombola, amongst other things.

Mrs Moxon said: "We are hoping to raise some of the money but the main thing is to try to serve the community. It is part of our Christian witness."

The next family film will be shown on Saturday, June 23, at 3pm. People should contact the church for details.