A NEW cinema in Wotton-under-Edge is closer to being a reality.

Two council grants, a lottery award and another successful fund-raising event have brought the total income to date to £38,000.

Stroud District Council is giving a £3,000 grant from its 2004-05 rural regeneration budget, while neighbouring South Gloucestershire Council is contributing £1,000.

A quiz night held at Wotton Civic Centre brought in a further £400.

And Awards for All includes The Electric Cinema Company in the latest round of Lottery grants.

A grant of £5,000 has been given to fund projection equipment "vital to the running of this rural, volunteer-run community cinema".

Raymond Moore, seniorawards Officer at Awards for All, said: "A total of 215 local voluntary groups and organisations in the South-West have an extra spring in their step now."

The Electric Cinema Company community group has been working to re-open the Market Street cinema since it closed unexpectedly in the autumn of 2002.

Chairman Jeff Walshe said: "We will be applying to Stroud District Council for a major capital grant later in the year but in the meantime its £3,000 grant is, of course, very welcome.

"The cinema has traditionally drawn many customers from villages and towns over the border into South Gloucestershire so we're very pleased that South Gloucestershire has recognised this with its £1,000 grant.

"I would also like to thank the many people who supported the quiz night, which was a great evening.

"It's good to get some Lottery money too, after being refused at our first attempt."

Mr Walshe added: "The discussions with Synwell Boxing Club, the owners of the cinema building, have taken a little longer than we expected but we are confident the lease will be signed very soon.

"Building and refurbishment work will then be able to start, hopefully with more donations which we still need."