LEATHERHEAD Theatre has joined the battle to save the UK Film Council.

The government announced on July 26 that the body would be scrapped, bringing to an end one of the British film industry's main sources of funding.

PJ Fothergill, marketing and publicity manger at the theatre in Church Street, which doubles as an occasional cinema, feels the decision will not be well received in Leatherhead.

He said: "It is frustrating for the general public because they will no longer be able to access these great films made in their own country.

"We get very positive feedback about the British films they funded so it will definitely annoy people in the community."

"It is a shame because it limits what we can provide for people and as a community theatre we want to be able to provide what they want to see."

While the council has backed some flops, such as Sex Lives Of The Potato Men, it also funded gems like The Last King Of Scotland, This Is England and Nowhere Boy.

Many high-profile celebrities have gone on record to protest against the cut and it has raised concerns about the effect this will have on Britain's performing arts.