AN independent cinema has won its bid to let young children watch the hit movie Spiderman.

The Robins, in Durham City, has been given permission by Durham City Council to allow in youngsters under the age of 12.

The council's licensing panel has agreed to follow the lead of councils in other parts of the country and re-designate the film parental guidance (PG).

"I believe we are the only cinema in the North-East to do this,'' said deputy manager Richard Coxon.

"A lot of people are unhappy with the British Board of Film Classification rating the film 12, but councils have the power to over-rule the BBFC.

"The council didn't feel they needed to look at the film because the precedent had been set by so many other councils.

"We are very pleased and I think hundreds of parents will be pleased too. We are showing it now and I imagine we'll be showing it well into the summer."

Mr Coxon added: "We made the application because the film has caused us so many problems. There was one man trying to get in with his son, who was about six, and the man was claiming he was 12 - which he obviously wasn't.

"It can put our staff in a very difficult situation as sometimes people aren't as affable as you would think if they can't get in.''

Council solicitor Lesley Blackie said: "It has been confirmed that the classification can be altered to PG but with a warning - in the same way as with Harry Potter - that there are some scenes unsuitable for young children.''