Movie watching lives on in Alton despite the closure of the Palace Cinema in November.

A successful application by the Hampshire Cultural Trust to community cinema organisation @cinemaforall has allowed films to be shown at the Allen Gallery in collaboration with the Memories of the Palace Cinema Project team.

The cinema will be of the ‘pop-up’ variety, with a screen appearing in the ground floor gallery space once a month.

A spokesperson said: “Two pilot showings will be held in February and March, launching what we hope will be a monthly programme of independent films, films that shine a light on our special ceramics collection, and a range of local, historic and classic titles – more details to follow.”

After 110 years with a major picture house, there is still a real addiction to reels in the town.

The spokesperson added: “Along with other local venues, let’s help keep the spirit of cinema alive and well in Alton.

“Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to volunteer some time to help keep this venture running, or simply suggest some films.”