JUST over four years ago a group of friends met in a Tyldesley cafe to set up a club for film enthusiasts.

Elizabeth Costello, from Astley, is one of the founder members of the volunteer group which was awarded council funding to move from the cafe to The Turnpike in Leigh a year later in 2014 due to its growth and demand for better cinematic resources.

The name of Leigh Film Society was soon adopted by the volunteers.

The group has gone from strength to strength since its formation and won the Film Society of the Year out of 2,000 entries, the Best Community Cinema accolade and the Best Film Discovery prize at the Cinema For All Awards in Sheffield in November.

Mum-of-two Elizabeth, who has been instrumental in the success of the group, was also short-listed for the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual gong in the awards night for her role as secretary.

She said: "I have always found it interesting that classic books have their rightful place in the school curriculum but films do not.

"For people who do not enjoy reading they can learn a lot from watching cinema.

"Films are a great escape and offer journeys into another world.

"They can educate and inform in an enjoyable way and the society put a lot of thought goes into the screenings to achieve this.

"In the last few years, I have seen our group grow into more than a film society- we are a community cinema.

"We deliver professional film screenings that are fully inclusive, offering something for everyone and enjoy screening them in unusual venues which reach audiences who would not normally attend a community cinema event.

"The society aim to open the world of alternative film to the public by screening classics as well as art house and foreign language titles.

"We decided from the outset in 2013 that you should not have to travel to cities like Manchester to see these films and they should be available locally."

The society's commitment to working with the community is typified by the dementia-friendly screenings it holds, which are supported by Age UK, and Elizabeth has carried out lectures in Sheffield and Lancaster about the importance of them.

The group has also formed a partnership with Edge Hill University this year and Elizabeth has featured as a guest lecturer to impart her knowledge about film to budding cinema professionals.

One of the many highlights of 2017 for the society was the screening of Monty Python's Life of Brian one week before Easter when a sell-out audience of 150 people watched the film at Leigh Parish Church with money from admission fees donated to charity.

The screening received a distinction in the Best Single Event category at the Cinema For All Awards too.

The society, which has actor Christopher Eccleston as a patron and was nominated for the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year, also featured in an ITV programme in January to discuss the value of its Afternoon Classic Cinema Club sessions.

Elizabeth, who has been treasurer of the Tyldesley Swimming and Water Polo Club for more than 10 years, worked with the late Mike Baker MBE, founder member of volunteer scheme Trust in Leigh, at arts programme CreativeLEIGH as well.

"I volunteer because it makes me happy to help others and work for a better community for all- it is also a lot of fun," Elizabeth added.

"If I am able to use my knowledge and experience to benefit others then I am more than willing to do so."

As well as continuing to work with Edge Hill University in 2018 and other community groups, the society are planning to host more children's events to encourage the younger generation to engage with cinema.

For more information about the society and its calendar of events visit http://leighfilmsociety.com.