WINDOWS boarded up, huge bags of popcorn stacked in the foyer - that was the sad scene at York's Odeon the day after its closure.

The last film was shown at the Blossom Street cinema on Thursday night, and workmen had already moved in yesterday morning.

Outside the cinema, which opened in 1937, posters were still advertising films such as Miami Vice and Snakes On A Plane, but wooden boards had been put up on the windows next to them.

Odeon campaigner Derek Atkins said he had not been able to bear coming in to York yesterday for fear of passing the forlorn sight of the old cinema boarded up.

"It doesn't surprise me what's happening down there, " he said.

"The next day a team of workers usually go in. They will be stripping it down. I think it will remain boarded up now for years."

The Odeon finally shut its doors despite a campaign by The Press to keep it open, which included a petition signed by 13,000 people.

There were emotional scenes on Thursday as supporters wore fancy dress to mark the cinema's final curtain - a showing of the new Hollywood comedy You, Me And Dupree.

As they left for the last time, many took with them film posters and cardboard cut-outs as souvenirs.

"When I arrived for the last performance, I got there just after 7pm. Sadly a lot of the things had already been taken down in the foyer, " said Mr Atkins.

"Things had been ripped off the walls, which made it even more drab for the last performance. I stayed for a good half an hour after the final performance and had a good walk round.

"I looked up and thought there was nothing anyone could build today that could match that.

"I didn't really want to leave. I could have just stayed there for hours. It was nice to go but it was sad to leave.

"I loved that place. It had real atmosphere. My sense of feeling is still one of bitter regret."

The Odeon's owners have said the decision to close the old cinema was taken with "regret" and blamed pressure from competition in the area - including the City Screen, in Coney Street, and Vue, at Clifton Moor.