UNCERTAINTY surrounds the future of a 70-year-old picture house in Darlington after plans were announced to build a nine-screen multiplex less than half-a-mile away.

The theatre at Northgate screened its first movie in 1936 after the building was converted from a music hall.

Over the years the cinema has changed hands several times - first run by Associated British Cinemas (ABC) it is now owned by Odeon Cinemas.

Last month the developers behind the £110m plans to build The Oval shopping mall at Commercial Street confirmed that the scheme will feature a new cinema complex.

Operators Vue Cinemas announced that they had signed a 20-year lease to run a multiplex with nine separate theatres at the new centre.

Directors at Odeon are remaining tight-lipped on the future of the Northgate cinema.

Sue Stahl, Chairman of Darlington Historical Society, said: "That cinema has always been there, and many years ago there were cinemas all over the town.

"At one point Darlington had more cinemas seats per head of population than anywhere else in the North-East.

"It would be a shame to lose an old building like that.

"I like the architecture of the facade of the building. If the cinema closed and the building was redeveloped into flats or something and the facade was kept it wouldnt be so bad.

"But if someone else opens a cinema and it is more comfortable then people will go to the better facility - I'm sorry but that's business."

A spokesman for Odeon Cinemas said the company would not comment on the Vue Cinema development until firm plans are confirmed.

He said: "It has not yet been confirmed that the Vue Cinema project is going ahead so we are not willing to comment at this time."

Cinema goers at Northgate had their say on the future of the theatre.

Samantha Metcalfe, a 15-year-old student from Newton Aycliffe, said: "It wouldn't bother me if the Odeon closed.

"It's too small. I prefer to go to Showcase Cinema at Teesside Park, which has more choice."

Lynn Rowland, aged 54, from Edmund Street, Darlington, said: "It would be a shame if an old cinema like that one closed, but times change."