THE magic of Hollywood has returned to a Flintshire town after decades of absence.

A new community cinema has been set up at Connah’s Quay Civic Hall in a bid to keep young people off the streets and bring a lost asset back to the town.

The former Hippodrome cinema, on Connah’s Quay High Street, closed in May 1962 marking the end of the big screen for residents.

But town councillors hope the new cinema will breathe new life into youth activities and rekindle the flames of the shared enjoyment of film.

Town council clerk Gary Feather said: “We received a grant for the cinema from the Welsh Assembly Government and the town council put some money towards it.

“We identified the need for a youth scheme and came up with the idea of a cinema and were one of only a few projects to be chosen for funding in the whole of North Wales.

“We will be showing films that have just been on in the cinema, but have not yet been released on DVD.

“There will be different ones on at every regular showing and anyone is welcome to come along.”

The club was officially opened last Friday, when organisers showed sci-fi thriller Surrogates, starring Bruce Willis.

Mr Feather added: “We’re hoping to engage with young people in the town.

“There is no other community facility like this in Flintshire and we wanted to give youngsters something else to do.”