A LAKE District cinema is celebrating success at a glittering awards ceremony held in London.

Ambleside's Zeffirellis and Fellinis picked up the cinema of the year accolade in the '24 screens and under' category at the Screen Awards.

With five screens across three sites, all equipped with Dolby Digital technology, Zeffs was hailed as an inspiration by the judges.

They highlighted the meal deal across the two restaurants, offering a cinema ticket and two-course dinner. This was also the first full year of operation for the Ambleside Manor vegetarian guest house which generated extra business for the cinemas.

Managing director Dorothy Smith was thrilled to have the Ambleside attraction recognised at the awards, which she attended with her husband Graham.

"We're absolutely made up about it – we're thrilled to bits," she told The Westmorland Gazette.

"The people on the panel were all quite high standing in the film industry and it's wonderful when they recognise you like this.

"It was an amazing evening, there were more than 500 people there and a lot of big people from the film industry, it was fabulous."

This year, up to 13 films a week were shown across the three sites and there had been an increase in live and recorded screenings of opera, ballet and theatre. The judges also praised the company’s community engagement.

The Screen Awards, recognising excellence in UK marketing, distribution and exhibition in the past 12 months, were presented by broadcaster Edith Bowman.

Screen International Editor Matt Mueller said: “Congratulations to all our very worthy winners tonight. The work these companies, teams and individuals do across the year to connect films with UK audiences is truly worth celebrating, and Screen is thrilled to acknowledge their outstanding achievements.”