RESIDENTS in the Henllys area of Cwmbran will soon be able to enjoy some the latest blockbusters on their own doorsteps after plans for a community cinema were given the thumbs-up.

The Community Council recently asked people in the area if they approved of the idea of screening films at the Village Hall in Henllys Village Road - and received and overwhelmingly positive response.

Council member Cllr Lawrence Smith-Higgins said the organisation had been "pleasantly surprised" by the scale of the positive feedback to the idea.

"We were looking at our business plan for the upcoming financial year and we were looking what more we could add to the community," he said.

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"One of the councillors said he had come across community cinemas and asked if this was something we could run if there was a demand for it.

"I wrote a short paper looking at the pros and cons and looked at the costs, which are a lot lower than I thought as we would be joining one of the community cinema groups.

"Through the group, the films available at the moment range from Joker to Wallace and Gromit.

"We can hold events for kids during school holidays, and it can also be used to help tackle social isolation among our elderly resident - as they can come and have a chat before and after the film.

"It's a chance to get the community together."

At a meeting on Monday, the community council gave the project the go ahead.

Cllr Smith-Higgins said they hoped to have the project running by the summer, but the council would monitor the situation with the coronavirus outbreak and any restrictions on community gatherings.

The showings would be held at the village hall, and would be free admission.