THE curtain has gone up on plans to reopen a Hampshire cinema that stopped showing films 50 years ago.

Civic chiefs have approved an application to breathe new life into the old Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge - half a century after it was killed off by the growing popularity of television.

It has already been given back its old name and aims to celebrate its rebirth by screening the Humphrey Bogart classic Casablanca.

The Art Deco-style building in Shaftesbury Street has stood empty since a pottery business closed in 2013.

Now part of the 83-year-old complex will be turned back into a cinema and the rest will be converted into eight studio apartments in a scheme expected to cost more than £1million.

The application was approved by the district council's planning and development control committee, which heard that the interior still resembled a picture palace.

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Cllr Ann Sevier said: "Everyone is Fordingbridge is quite excited to see that this building is being brought back into use. The inside is still there - it hasn't been ripped out."

Cllr David Harrison added: "I'm a great fan of Art Deco buildings and the front of this one is particularly attractive. The project has also got good social and economic benefits."

The scheme has been drawn up by Fordingbridge-based Corintech, which hopes the proposed new flats will help the electronics company recruit young engineers.

Brian Currie, Corintech's owner and chairman, confirmed that the cinema was due to re-open next May.

He said it would be run by a film club operating an online booking system and would show a mixture of old classics and brand new releases.

"I was elated when the scheme was given the go-ahead by the council," added Mr Currie.

"The restoration of a very historic Art Deco building in the town centre will bring back an amenity that was lost 50 years ago."

After closing in 1965 the Regal was bought by Branksome China, which operated a pottery manufacturing business on the site until three years ago.

A report to councillors said: "The premises has a long history of employment use.

"However, it has been vacant for some time and its condition has deteriorated, making its re-use for employment purposes less attractive to prospective occupiers.

"The proposal would result in the re-introduction of a use which is very well supported by the local community and would also provide residential accommodation.

"Consequently, in this instance, the loss of an employment site is considered acceptable."