BIG screen films are bringing people back out of their houses and into the village and community halls of the Test Valley.

Broughton Village Hall and Mountbatten School's Lantern Theatre at Romsey are the latest venues to be eagerly awaiting a night at the pictures following the recent success of Stockbridge and a host of other venues across the South.

The film service is being provided by the Moviola organisation, which has previously been successful on visits to the northern Test Valley villages of Goodworth Clatford, Monxton, Thruxton, St Mary Bourne and Vernham Dean.

And there is already the possibility of a repeat of the recent Stockbridge showing of Pride and Prejudice, with the records showing: "Number of seats sold - 100, percentage of seats sold - 100". At Broughton, Mike Hoskins and Sue Warburton are organising a screening of Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit at the village hall on Wednesday, February 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are being sold by the village's West View Stores, things are already looking good.

"We've got 30 advances bookings already and we're going for over 100 in the village hall. A lot of interest is being expressed ," said Mike.

With many of the villagers living within a short walk of the hall, a good turn-out from Broughton seems assured, but the showing is also being given a mention in the newsletters at neighbouring Mottisfont, Houghton and The Wallops.

But the Wallace and Gromit film is just the start. Further showings have been lined up of Mrs Henderson Presents (Friday, March 3), March of the Penguins (Saturday, March 18 - afternoon) and Pride and Prejudice (Friday, April 7).

At Mountbatten School's Lantern Theatre, the Moviola activities also begin during half-term week, on Monday, February 13, but with two separate shows.

Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit will be shown at 2pm and there will be an evening screening of Pride and Prejudice.

That is set to be followed on Monday, March 6, with a matinee of the football-themed Goal! at 4pm and Mrs Henderson Presents at 7.30pm.

Also arranged is a showing of The Constant Gardener and if the initial run is a successful there will be more on the way.

Mountbatten's community manager Tony McGovern said: "We are very aware that people from the Romsey area have to travel outside the district to reach cinemas showing the latest films.

"We are working with Moviola to bring the cinema experience closer to home with popular movies for all ages without the costs involved in going to a multiplex."

Tickets for the Romsey showings are £4 with concessions at the matinees. Further information is available from the community office on 01794 523037.

Christina Walkley, of Moviola, explained that the venture was launched four years ago and now screens films across a wide area of southern England from Kilmington in Devon to Petersfield and Hartley Wintney in Hampshire.

It is run by a charitable company, Dorset Film Touring Ltd, and uses high quality digital light projection on to a large screen with stereo sound. Most shows also feature short films, some of which are made locally and give young film makers a chance to have their work shown in front of an audience.

Further details can be obtained from its website on www.moviola.org.