FROM 3d priced tickets to 3D glasses, Wotton-under-Edge’s thriving cinema looks back on its rollercoaster 100-year history.

The Electric Picture House in Market Street is being showcased by the town's heritage centre in a special exhibition marking its centenary.

Costumes, pictures, scripts, film reels, press cuttings and the original projector are all on display to show the cinema’s legacy and it even includes signed photos, congratulating the cinema on its birthday, from actors Michael Caine, Stephen Fry, Helen Mirren, Jeremy Irons and Judi Dench.

The 100-seat cinema has had a tumultuous history with several closures under its belt, but has gone from strength to strength since it reopened as a volunteer-run co-operative in 2005.

With 100 volunteers, ranging in age from 16 to 70, the modern, multi-media centre offers a diverse range of films including latest releases, World Cinema and popular older films, as well as live broadcasts of theatre shows in London and big events including the London Olympics opening ceremony. Winning numerous awards and welcoming its 100,000th visitor in 2011, the cinema puts any extra money made into continually developing its technology and increasing the range of services it can offer.

It also gives to charity, with over £35,600 already going to good causes in the area.

The cinema is one of the smallest in the country but also one of the most up to date, as it was one of the first to go fully digital, instead of using the traditional 35mm reels, and has recently ventured into the world of 3D, with high-tech 3D glasses being used.

It was not always so rosy for the town’s prized asset though.

In 1911 William Coe purchased the closed Crown Inn at the end of Market Street and two years later opened the Electric Picture House but by 1920 its popularity meant new premises were needed and moved to where it still stands today.

However in 1960, under growing pressure from the popularity of TV, the cinema closed for the first time.

Projectionist at the time Michael Chappell, with friends and family, did reopen the cinema in 1963, but this venture only lasted 18 months, with Synwell Boxing Club buying the premises.

It remained in this form until 1993 when Andy Coudry and Jess Elton re-opened the cinema but, after being unable to find a buyer, the cinema closed once more in 2002.

One of the main figures in the cinema’s success is Janet Walshe, who with her husband Jeff and countless others, helped organise a three-year campaign of fundraising, grant applications and renovation works to ensure it reopened under its original name.

She said it was great to showcase a success story born out of the community’s work.

"It’s incredibly community-minded here in Wotton," said Janet.

"It has taken up a great amount of time but it is great and we love it. We have a great management committee and wonderful volunteers, there’s a real feeling of togetherness with this cinema."

A street party is being organised to celebrate the centenary on Sunday, July 7, where over 40 stalls have been organised and shops are set to have film-themed displays.

The exhibition goes on until August, when it will be replaced with one on youth groups.