THIRSK'S entirely volunteer-run cinema will donate the proceeds from two nights' showings of a soon to come blockbuster to the Red Cross in support of the Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is expected to be a huge success at the cinema, which hopes to raise a significant sum for the appeal. The proceeds from the showings on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, will be donated.

Chairman John Potter said: "As a community, the Ritz volunteers wanted to do their bit for the people of Ukraine. Several ideas were considered such as showing specialist films or something directly related to the Ukraine, but in the end we decided the best and simplest way to raise a significant sum was to give the proceeds from a forthcoming blockbuster."

He continued: "Downtown Abbey: A New Era will surely be our most popular film for some time, pulling in big audiences and in this way we hope we should raise a good amount."

Though it sounds unlikely, there is a slight link between this film and the Ukraine. Hugh Bonneville, who plays Lord Grantham in Downton also played the foster father (Henry Brown) in the 2014 and 2017 Paddington films. As many people now know, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky voiced Paddington in the Ukrainian versions. This of course was before he swept to power in the presidential election of 2019.

For both showings tickets remain the usual £6 with concessions at £5. Doors open at 7pm with the film starting at 7.30pm. See www.ritzcinema.co.uk for full up to date details.

The cinema is always seeking new volunteers. To find out more, get in touch though the website, call 01845 524751, or leave your details at the box office.