There is good news for former regular customers of Swindon’s Empire Cinema.

The Greenbridge multiplex used to host screenings for over-60s every Wednesday and elderly film fans have missed the communal big-screen experience since the venue closed in July.

One of those regulars, Marie Wood, helped to bring the screenings back at another local cinema and posted about this effort on social media to help spread the word.

She said:  “After the sudden, sad demise of Greenbridge’s Empire Cinema and its wonderful feelgood escapism of the senior viewings, I took a leap of faith and wrote to Cineworld HQ asking if it would be possible for them to take up where Empire was sadly forced to abruptly end.”

The company replied by saying this suggestion would be discussed at the cinema chain’s next board meeting.

A few weeks later, a representative told Marie that the screenings would now continue at the Shaw Ridge Cineworld in West Swindon for the foreseeable future.

Chevalier played at 11.30am on Wednesday as the first film in the Senior Screening’s new home, renamed as CineSeniors.

The proposed lineup in the coming weeks includes Asteroid City, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, Sound of Freedom, the new version of Haunted Mansion, Barbie, Oppenheimer, The Equalizer 3, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Past Lives, A Haunting in Venice, and – just before Christmas – It’s A Wonderful Life.

Cineworld offers similar screenings for elderly cinephiles in just seven other locations around the UK, and they are now available in Swindon.

A Cineworld spokesperson said: "Introducing CineSeniors at Cineworld Swindon.

"CineSeniors is a great way for anyone over 60 to share hot drinks and biscuits with fellow movie lovers.

"Gossip and chat about the newest releases in special screenings every Wednesday for only £4.50.

"Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to spend a wonderful morning out with friends, old and new.

"Book your tickets now at https://bit.ly/cineseniors and make some unforgettable memories."

The Empire Cinema in Greenbridge has been empty for nearly three months after the company in charge of it suddenly collapsed into administration. 

While some multiplexes in the chain remained open, Swindon's closed at short notice, and with it went the town's IMAX screen.

Administrators BPO are overseeing the sale of the cinemas that remain open, so the future of the Greenbridge site is still unknown.