YORK-born Oscar winner Dame Judi Dench has joined the Evening Press campaign to save the Odeon - as the number of signatures for our petition tops 13,000.

The actress, who is a former pupil of The Mount School in York, said she would be devastated if the picture palace in Blossom Street closed, as she had been a regular visitor when she lived in the city.

Odeon campaigner Gary Haq wrote to the Oscar-winning star to ask if she would join thousands of York residents and support our petition, which calls for the cinema to stay open after a sensitive refurbishment.

She wrote back: "I am delighted to add my support to your campaign to save the York Odeon Cinema. It is the most beautiful art deco building.

"I have very happy memories of it and would be devastated to see it closed.

"I wish you great success with the campaign."

Dame Judi has played M in Bond films GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies and The World Is Not Enough, all of which were screened at the Odeon. She portrayed Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown in 1997 - a role which won her a Golden Globe and her first Oscar nomination. Another brief royal role, as Queen Elizabeth I in Shakespeare In Love, saw her bag her first Oscar in 1999.

Mr Haq said he was "delighted" by Dame Judi's support.

"I hope with the petition and the support from such a high-profile celebrity, we can convince the Odeon company that there is a demand for a second cinema in York.

"With a bit of imagination and creative thinking, the Odeon can provide a unique cinematic experience in an art deco building."

The petition has now collected just over 13,000 signatures, less than two months after being launched. The latest boost has come from Danielle Lee, a student in the sixth form at Huntington School, who has collected hundreds of signatures.

The keen cinemagoer gave up her breaks and lunch hour to gather support from fellow students.

"I got a very good response," she said. "A lot of people use the Odeon."

Anyone who has collected signatures and not yet returned their forms to the Evening Press should do so now. Please get them to Matthew Woodcock at the Evening Press offices in Walmgate, York, by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, March 09, 2004