A NEW project to bring the big screen experience to parts of Suffolk without access to a cinema is being launched next week.The new Suffolk Digital Cinema Network will raise funds to buy digital projection equipment and work with local community film promoters to give people in rural Suffolk the chance to see films at a screen near them.

A NEW project to bring the big screen experience to parts of Suffolk without access to a cinema is being launched next week.

The new Suffolk Digital Cinema Network will raise funds to buy digital projection equipment and work with local community film promoters to give people in rural Suffolk the chance to see films at a screen near them.

The project has been set up by arts officers from councils with funding from Screen East, to address the lack of cinema provision in parts of the county.

The digital cinema network has been set up following a report by consultant David Sin who has been looking into ways of helping local communities promote a wide range of film screenings.

Kathy Pollard, member of Suffolk County Council's executive committee, said: "I am pleased to see the launch of this new project which I hope will give people in rural areas the chance to experience the cinema in their local community.

"We know that people in rural areas are less likely to go to the cinema than people in towns and this scheme will make the big screen far more accessible."

The network will be formally launched on Monday at Needham Market Community Centre at 7.15pm with refreshments available from 7pm.

The network will be open to all Suffolk-based local authorities, town and parish councils, village hall committees, film societies, amateur and professional arts organisations and any other organisation interested in promoting cinema.

Representatives from any of these organisations or anyone interested in starting a film club in their town or village are welcome to come along to the meeting.