LOVE birds will be able to cuddle up in comfort once again in Hexham's Forum Cinema when a timely make-over is complete.

For the clock has been turned back to the cinema's 'youth' with the installation of some Pullman-style seating, including the double-seats once prized by courting couples.

They come courtesy of a £3,000 refurbishment of the auditorium, which began last week.

General manager Tamsin Beevor said: "Overall we're looking at raising £25,000 to spend on giving the cinema a bit of a facelift, just to keep it looking nice really.

"Improving the toilets is high on the agenda, but we've started with the auditorium, because some of the seats were in need of a bit of tender loving care."

The cinema will be running as normal during the work, but with reduced seating available until the work is completed at the beginning of October.

Coun. Cath Homer has used some of her Members' Local Improvement Scheme fund to cover the cost of improving the floor lighting in the auditorium.

Much of the rest of the £3,000 has been raised from loyal customers who have paid to have one of the newly-covered seats named in their honour.