If you're opening a new cinema thanks to a local film studio, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters, of course - with a group dressed as the iconic film characters meeting cheering crowds in Shinfield to launch a £300,000 community cinema. 

More than 100 people attended the Shinfield Cinema's launch event at the School Green Centre, in School Green, Friday, October 4. 

The event gave attendees a chance to see the new space and find out more about upcoming screenings, which are due to begin on Friday, November 1. 

The Soutend-on-Sea Ghostbusters group helped bring some movie magic to the launch event, returning to Shinfield after appearing as extras in Ghostbusters Frozen Empire, which was filmed in the new studios nearby. 

Shinfield Studios - which was declared fully open in July - had agreed to open the screening facility for the community as part of its planning agreement. 

Now the studio's investment of more than £300,000 is set to bring classic film screenings to 80-seat cinema at the community centre. 

Parish clerk Bruce Winton said the parish council will be running the cinema - and there had been a "a huge amount of interest" from nearby residents. 

Bruce said: "We have already had people asking us if they can hire the cinema for birthday parties, which is something we're looking at."

Screenings will take place on Fridays with a film aimed at children and families showing at 4.30pm and then a film for older audiences at 7.30pm. 

Members of the community can get involved by joining the cinema's film selection panel.

Bruce said: "We already have 11 people on the panel - but we're always looking for more people to join."

Screenings on the cinema's first day will see a 4.30pm showing of Despicable Me 4, and then a 7.30pm screening of Quiet Place: Day 1. 

Upcoming movies include classics such as Elf, Home Alone, Pretty Woman, and Love Actually. 

"The one I'm pushing for is 2001: A Space Odyssey," Bruce said.

"I was only one year old when it was in the cinema, so it would be great to see it on the big screen.

"The community cinema is all about giving people those kind of experiences."