AN OPTICIANS has joined backers supporting Leigh Film Society in their bid to build their own community cinema based at Spinners Mill.

Specsavers in Leigh has bought three seats through the group’s ‘Sponsor a Cinema Seat’ drive, and the group is now well on their way to achieving their goal, with 80 out of 140 seats now sponsored.

Established in 2013, the group believes film screenings at the Grade II listed building can help fight against social isolation, support community cohesion and create more opportunities for young people.

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Paul Costello, who is leading the drive for Leigh Film Society, said: "As we are a not for profit film charity run fully by volunteers, we just don’t have the big budgets necessary for this kind of project.

"Since creating the group in 2013, we’ve had to rely on different venues to screen our events but we’re now looking to expand what we can offer to the local community with more special screenings for people with special needs such as autism.

"We’re hugely grateful to all the staff at Specsavers Leigh and everyone who has backed us so far – without your help we wouldn’t be where we are now.’"

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Mathew Averall, store director at Specsavers Leigh, added: "This is a fantastic project for the whole community to enjoy and is a great way of supporting culture in Leigh.

"The work Leigh Film Society does in bringing about a sense of community is vital at times like these and we’re proud to help them in any small way."

For more information, follow @LeighFilm on Twitter.