HUNDREDS of people have shown their support for preserving one of the region's last remaining independent cinemas.

The future of The Robins cinema, in Durham City, is again looking shaky as pub developer Regent Inns launches another offensive to try to convert the rented building into an Australian theme bar.

Magistrates in Durham rejected an application for a drinks licence after police and people who live in the area spoke out against another pub in North Road, fearing it would attract trouble makers.

But Regents Inns is appealing against the decision, in a hearing due to take place at Durham Crown Court on October 28.

Sharon McCourt, manageress of Taylor's News-agents, which is opposite the cinema in North Road, has started a petition to keep the city's only cinema. In less than a week she has collected 1,000 signatures.

She said: "It has been unbelievable, there have been people coming in just to sign the petition, and tourists from places such as Yorkshire telling me they were going to sign it.

"We get a lot of trade from the cinema on Saturdays and so we don't want to lose it for that reason, but also because nobody wants it to go."

If the theme bar bid is successful, people will have to travel to the multiplex cinemas at the MetroCentre, in Gateshead, at Boldon, or the Odeon at Darlington.

It is not the first time the future of The Robins has been threatened. Part of the original plans for Durham's Millennium City, the recently built development which includes the Gala Theatre, involved a multiplex cinema in Walkergate, which would almost certainly have sounded the death knell for The Robins.

The Robins manageress Brenda Ryder said: "With a licence application the fact that Durham is going to lose its only cinema wouldn't really be an issue, but it might just raise awareness. It's good to know so many people care about the cinema."

The petition will be handed in on Monday.

* Revised plans to build a 12- screen multiplex cinema, multi-storey car park, casino and shops were due to be discussed by Sunderland City Councillors last night. Helios Properties already has the go-ahead to redevelop land between High Street West and West Wear Street in Sunderland and partially demolish buildings in High Street West.