DISNEY'S smash-hit family film Frozen will be helping to launch a new community cinema in New Earswick.

A sing-a-long version of the film will be screened in the Folk Hall on December 20.

And organisers hope it will be the start of a series of regular monthly films to be screened there.

The community cinema already has a name - NELLIvision. And organisers hope to follow up Frozen with another smash hit musical, Mama Mia!, just before Valentine's Day next year. "It will be complete with Greek canapes and dancing - though we're not sure if the Folk Hall will allow the plate smashing!" said NELLIvision committee member Christine Cooke.

After Mama Mia!, the plan is to screen a film on the first Friday every month - with The Imitation Game and The Railway Children pencilled in.

The new community cinema is part of a wider programme of 'NELLI' activities that aim to get more people using the Folk Hall.

NELLI - the New Earswick Less Loneliness Initiative - was set up following a three-year Joseph Rowntree Foundation research project into loneliness in the area.

Other NELLI initiatives at the Folk Hall have included Earwigs, a drop-in centre for pre-school children and their carers; Café Nelli, a weekly community cafe; and monthly luncheon club Nelli Munch.

The idea for NELLIvision grew from a chat at the pub, admits Christine.

"We'd been talking about the South Bank community cinema, and realised we'd got the hall, we'd got everything we needed."

John Beecroft of Cinem@ - the projectionist at South Bank community cinema - will be providing essential technical support.

But the organisers are determined NELLIvision will be a genuine community cinema - with local people themselves nominating the films to be shown.

The committee is also looking for volunteers to help run the cinema. "At the moment, everyone on the committee is retired - so we'd like some younger people!" Christine said.

• There will be two screenings of Frozen at the New Earswick Folk Hall on December 20: a 2pm matinée, and a 7.30pm evening show. Tickets - priced £5 for a family of four, £3adult, £1.50 children (under 5s free) - are selling fast for the matinée but still available for the evening screening. Tickets from the Folk Hall.

To find out more about NELLIvision or get involved, email c_cooke@talktalk.net