FILM fans in Okehampton have pledged to continue their fight to establish a regular cinema facility in the town. Moving Pictures, the community group set up last year held a successful first annual meeting on Monday, and identified its future aims. The Rev Philip Wagstaff, chairman, said there had been a ?very high degree of enthusiasm? from those attending to take the project forward to the next stage. This will involve the group exploring ways of funding their own DVD-based projection and sound system and a third phase to explore ways of developing a permanent cinema location within the town. Mr Wagstaff said the group had already secured some funding towards the estimated cost of £9,000 to £10,000 to buy its own high-quality equipment. Fundraising is ongoing and the group has been supported by individuals, the MCTI partnership (including the North Tawton Development Trust), the EX20 Lottery, West Devon Borough Council, and is being supported in an application to South West Screen and to other trusts in the community. Mr Wagstaff said: ?When we are in the position of buying our own equipment we will be able to put on a regular programme of films and are exploring ways of developing cinema in the villages, cinema for young people, a cinema club as well as regular films in the Charter Hall or the Octagon as we look for a permanent venue in the future. ?We are looking to have a more regular programme, so people know there is going to be a film on at the Charter Hall or the Octagon on a certain night. That enables us to look ahead and plan as well.? He added that the more long-term objective of providing a permanent cinema facility in Okehampton could only be achieved through partnership. ?We want to work together with as many people as possible to get a real venue for the town.? The group was set up last year with the aim of bringing film back to Okehampton following the sale of the 1930s-era Carlton cinema in St James Street. A planning application was submitted to the borough council last month to develop the site for town centre housing. Following a successful pilot scheme showing films mainly at the Charter Hall but also once at the Octagon Theatre at Okehampton College, group members have now expressed their intention to continue showing a wide range of films at these venues in the future. A management group was elected by the meeting, with Mr Wagstaff elected as chairman. He thanked everyone who had supported Okehampton Moving Pictures, including members of the steering group, the MCTI partnership, North Tawton Development Trust, Richard at Millennium Music, for hosting the box office, the traders who had put up posters in their premises, and staff at the town hall, the Charter Hall and the Octagon for their help.