VOLUNTEERS who gave a century-old cinema a new lease of life are celebrating the 20th anniversary of running it as a non-profit venture.

Since being relaunched by movie enthusiasts in March 1995, the Ritz Cinema, in Thirsk, has become a template for numerous projects nationwide where communities are determined to maintain popular facilities.

Former Mayor of Thirsk, Joe Salmon, said many residents had been dismayed when it was announced the cinema would close in 1994 and more than 100 people attended a meeting at the venue to discuss a plan for the community to take it over.

Mr Salmon said although the cinema is in Sowerby, it had been Thirsk Town Council that took up the challenge, leading moves to take on the lease and on work to restore the building.

He said: "It involved a tremendous amount of work by both town councillors and volunteers to get it running again as quickly as possible."

After being run by the council for a year, it was handed over to a volunteers' group who launched it with a screening of The Lion King on March 4.

Over the past two decades many improvements, such as the installation of a new screen, improved seating, Dolby SR surround sound and recently digital projection have helped maintain the appeal of the cinema, which invests its profits in improvements.

Mr Salmon said: "People all over the country look to the Ritz when they are considering similar community projects – it’s a brilliant example of what can be achieved."

The cinema is inviting residents to a free screening of The Lion King on March 7 and 8, at 2.30pm to mark the milestone.