Drama group the Sinodun Players, which runs the Corn Exchange in Wallingford, relies heavily on the cinema to boost funds covering the cost of repairs.

Now the Players face paying out £55,000 for a new digital projector and spending this lump sum will place a severe strain on resources.

It would, perhaps, be turning a drama into a crisis to say that the historic building is threatened with closure if the cinema can no longer operate, but it is clearly a crucial part of the business model.

Independent cinemas are a major asset to our market towns and no one would want to see this appeal fail.