A £50,000 one-off windfall payment from the firm which developed the Oakalls estate in Bromsgrove is to be spent on buying cinema equipment for the town's new Artrix.

The trust which runs the new School Drive arts centre, which is set to open in the spring, has come up with a £90,000 plus shopping list of equipment it needs. Of this sum about £50,000 is needed to purchase a projctor, screen and sound system for the 300-plus seat auditorium.

The district council's executive cabinet agreed last week that the £50,000 '106 agreement' struck with Oakalls developers Gallaghers should be used to purchase the equipment and any cash left over used to buy other arts related items.

The condition of the agreement is that the £50,000 should benefit the Oakalls.

Despite Labour's often repeated plea for a stand-alone cinema to be incorporated in the design, film shows did not feature in original plans.

It was argued that cinemagoers were well catered for in neighbouring towns. Several attempts to bring back the big screen to Bromsgrove have failed during the past 25 years. But after consultation with the public, the arts trust has decided to give showing films a try.

Trust chairman Councillor Bill Newnes (Broms Ind group-Sidemoor) is enthusiastic about the idea and is pleased his suggestion to use the Gallagher cash has been accepted by the executive, although it still has be ratified by the full council.

He said one idea being considered is 'themed seasons' with films possibly being screened at various times throughout the day. One thing about which he is clear is that the new arts centre should cater for all tastes and ages.

"We may have to wait for up to eight weeks before we get the latest blockbusters," Bill said. "But we will ensure the films cater for every section of the community."