The quest to bring a big screen to the town continued when councillors took a trip to Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire to look at a state-of-the-art facility.

Councillors met experienced cinema operator Gerald Parkes of Parkway Cinemas, who gave them a tour of his eight-screen facility.

Cllr Derek Giles, who is acting leader of the ruling Lib Dems on St Neots Town Council, said that the visiting party were impressed with what they saw during their two and a half hour visit.

The eight "luxurious" screening rooms at Cleethorpes include a 320-seater which doubles as a theatre with dressing rooms.

Next door is a 60-plus seater unit which can be used as a conference centre, or to show specialist films and can be hired out for children's parties.

Cllr Derek Giles said: "The establishment there is very flexible. The other six screens are various sizes, which range from 120 to 200 seaters, and the way they are designed is incredible. One screen has a digital projector which can be beamed into any of the other units.

"It has to be flexible and it has to appeal to the whole community," Cllr Giles added.

"I think we all came away very bouyant and I am personally convinced St Neots could support a four screen cinema."