MOVIE fans could be enjoying two more cinema screens in the heart of the Lake District from next spring, reports Rachel Kitchen.

Planners have given Zeffirellis director Derek Hook the go-ahead to transform the old junior school at Compston Road, Ambleside, into a two-screen cinema.

The plans attracted opposition from some neighbours who were concerned about late-night disturbance and parking congestion, but the Lake District National Park Authority's development control committee agreed that Ambleside was large enough to absorb the extra numbers of cars and visitors.

Mr Hook told the Gazette the new venture would be called Zeffirellis in the Park.

The two screens, seating 110 and 60 people, would give greater flexibility to the type of films he could show, particularly during the summer "block-buster" season.

The existing two-screen Zeffirellis cinema seats 277 people.

Mr Hook hopes to start work later this month, and to open the doors to movie fans in February or March.

Lake District planners heard the plan sparked three letters of objection from residents of Compston Road, with "strong concerns" about greater parking pressure in the centre of Ambleside; loss of parking for guest houses; late-night noise and disturbance from people leaving the cinema; and advertising, litter and noise being "out of keeping" in this attractive, historic area.