AN Okehampton woman celebrates 40 years service to the town's big-screen addicts next month.

Margaret Woolacott who lives at Moyses Meadow first started selling sweets and ice-creams at the Carlton Cinema in James Street in 1956.

'The manager asked me if I knew a little maid who'd like to earn a bit of money — I thought "I can do that — what about me",' said Margaret, who was just 15 at the time.

'I had to keep going out when the X-films were on — they were very strict then.'

Margaret explained in those days, the cinema would show the main film, a support, the Pathe news and then the main film again.

'That's where the phrase "This is where I came in" comes from,' said Margaret.

Times have certainly changed during the past 40 years and in more ways than one.

'Where the kids used to come in with sixpence, they wave a fiver at me now.

'And you just can't compare the films — the swearing more than anything else — if you took those words out you'd go back to the silent movies!'

She maintains the cinema is still the best value entertainment around, despite the increase in prices over the years.

'To sit in the back row of the stalls was three shillings 40 years ago — it's only £2.50 now, that works out five-and-a-half pence inflation a year, there's nothing else as good that's only gone up that much!'

Margaret has long since given up working at the Carlton 'for a couple of bob.'

'It's more a labour of love now,' she said of her Tuesday ticket-selling stints.

'We all have a good laugh and a chat — we've got some smashing regular customers.'

One customer who certainly was not a regular but sticks in Margaret's memory is Prince Charles, who came to the Carlton as a young man when he was staying at Okehampton Camp.

'I always remember the picture he came to see — it was called Percy's Progress.

'I think he enjoyed it, he came out half-way for an ice cream. I think he was quite pleased because nobody made a fuss of him, he was just one of the boys,' said Margaret.

At least the Prince did not call the Carlton after the film to see if he left his trousers behind, as one customer did.

'I never had anything quite as bizarre as that,' said Pat.

'I thought "I'll have to be a bit careful here", I mean, he must have realised when he left he had no trousers.

'I asked him where he'd been sitting — he said in the back row!'

It transpired Margaret's caller had been to football training and had not had time to change afterwards — his grey trousers were actually lost from a carrier-bag!

'The picture that went through my mind — I know they get a bit passionate in the back row, but for heaven's sake!' laughed Margaret.

Margaret said she has no intention of leaving the Carlton and regards herself as 'part of the fixtures and fittings' now.

'I certainly didn't think 40 years ago I'd still be here!' she admitted.

Recently, The Thomas Crown Affair was showing at The Carlton — yet again, a very different film from the original.

'I remember the first one — it wasn't like this one I can tell you, dear me no,' laughed Margaret, who will no doubt sell tickets for the third version.