CLASSIC films and modern videos made by budding Bolton directors are to be shown at a town centre cafe as Bolton gets its first independent cinema.

Bonnie And Clyde will be the first film shown tonight at The Melting Pot cafe in St Andrew’s Court, near HMV.

The cinema club has been launched by a video production business and shop traders, and tonight’s gangster-romance is being billed as a tounge-in-cheek reference to St Valentine’s Day.

Tracy Hindley and Francesca Platt, of The Box TV, hope the debut screening will be the first of many film events at the cafe.

Locally-made films and videos could be shown alongside cult movies and well-known classics.

The women previously worked at Bolton Council and often carried out video projects with community groups.

After taking redundancy, they set up their own firm.

Under the name of Box Office Events, they hope the cafe screenings will establish an independent cinema scene in the town centre.

Mrs Hindley said: “We aim to bring back memories of how the cinema used to be, with double features, home-made popcorn and a mix of classic and modern feature films.

“Being completely independent gives us the freedom that the big chain cinemas don’t have.

“We can host a season of cult films from a particular director or genre, or a children’s Saturday morning film club.

“We also love the town centre and want to see more independent businesses and activities taking place.”

Kevin Bamber of Manic Clothing, one of the traders who helped set up the club, said St Andrew’s Court’s “unique, quirky feel” was the ideal setting for a cinema club.

He said: “Local film-makers can contact us to preview short films before the main features.

“The first screening of the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, a twisted love story about bank robbers, is a great way to follow Valentine’s Day.”

Tickets, priced £7, are available from the Melting Pot Cafe, which holds about 30 people.