Film fans in Nairn, which is also famous as Charlie Chaplin’s holiday resort, have been without a permanent venue since the Playhouse projected its final reel in the 1970s. After closing its doors, it eventually re-opened as the British Legion, then Nairn County Social Club.

Now there are moves afoot to bring the big screen back to the town on the shores of the Moray Firth. Over the past two summers, Nairn has had a starring role in Swinton’s Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams and Pilgrimage film festivals, and local movie buffs say there is a clear demand for regular screenings.

A group of local enthusiasts, calling themselves ­Cinema Nairn, have arranged for a day of classic movies to be shown at the Community Centre on Sunday November 29, in order to gather reaction and, it is hoped, begin the revival of silver-screen entertainment in the town.

Sue Halliday of Cinema Nairn said: “The recent festivals Nairn has enjoyed thanks to Tilda and her enthusiasm for film have highlighted the fact that people would regularly go to the pictures if there was a cinema in Nairn.

“As a result, a bunch of us have been inspired to put in a lot of effort and try to start something wonderful. We feel Nairn deserves and can support regular film screenings. Movies due to be shown later this month include The Wizard of Oz, The ­Magnificent Seven and I Know Where I’m Going.