A DEMONSTRATION outside Croydon Town Hall on Monday urging the council to look again at the closure of the David Lean Cinema turned into a quiet celebration.

Adrian Winchester, chairman of the Save the David Lean campaign handed a 1,400-name petition to shadow cabinet member for culture and sport, Councillor Maggie Mansell.

The petition asked the council to investigate any constructive proposals for reviving the 68-seater cinema at the Clocktower in Katharine Street.

The petition was later formally presented to the full council meeting by Mrs Mansell.

The cinema was closed last year as part of the council's overall budget cutting exercise.

In the last few weeks, Councillor Sara Bashford, the cabinet member for culture and sport, has announced the council is prepared to look at working with a private sector or social enterprise to reopen facilities at the Clocktower, including the cinema.

Mr Winchester said after the meeting: "I am delighted with the number of people who signed the petition.

"I think Monday was a low-key celebration for us.

"We asked the council to look at constructive proposals and they appear to be doing that. There does seem to have been a step forward."