Lewes, a town without a cinema, is to have its first film festival thanks to a couple with a passion for the movies.

Kevin and Marilu Orman have planned a week-long selection of films to quench the thirst of movie-starved residents.

They hope the event, in the All Saints Centre, Friars Walk, could lead to a permanent cinema in the same venue and are in talks with the council.

Kevin, of Coombe Road, Brighton, said: "We have been working on the idea of opening a proper cinema for two or three days a week.

"The festival is the first step in a bid to generate interest and show people it can be done and be sustainable in Lewes. It would be a collaboration with the council and we would rent the All Saints Centre from them.

"We would possibly put a big screen and a better sound system in and improve the seating. The council has said it would improve the building but it could take one or two years for it to be completed."

Kevin thinks films are so vital he started a touring cinema company in 1996, called Cinemobile.

He travels the county showing blockbusters and art-house movies using high-tech portable cinema equipment.

The film festival, which runs from Tuesday until July 21, will be the first of many visits from Cinemobile.

From January 2003, Kevin's company will be showing films in the town three times a month.

He said: "I think it's integral for people to see films. It's a part of modern culture and people need access to that locally.

"We've had people saying for years that they wish there was a cinema in Lewes.

"We have the ability to do instead of just talking, so we decided to take action.

"The nearest place for people to go at the moment is Brighton or Uckfield and that is not really viable for people without a car."

Steve Brigden, clerk at Lewes Town Council, said the town needed a cinema but the council would not be making any decisions for the next year.

He said: "We don't yet know what we will do with the All Saints Centre. The town council has only just taken back the running of the centre from a group of volunteer trustees.

"We will be spending a year taking stock of what we have down there and in the meantime we welcome events like Kevin's film festival.

"A lot of work needs doing to get the building up to scratch and we will be applying for grants. For now, we just want it to be a community arts venue.

"However, Lewes needs a cinema and it is one of the options we will look into."

Cinemobile also pays monthly visits to Petworth, Billingshurst, Sullington, Henfield and Peacehaven.

A selection of films, including About a Boy, Iris and Amelie, will be shown from Tuesday.

Tickets are £4. For further details, call 01273 243865.