Dench's plea to save mobile cinema for Scots pupils

Oscar-winner Dame Judi Dench has written to First Minister Humza Yousaf to highlight children's concerns about the future of a mobile cinema.

The 25-year-old Screen Machine service needs £1.4m for a new purpose-built vehicle to continue taking films across the Highlands and Islands.

Pupils at Castlebay Community School in Barra asked for the actress' help in raising awareness about the situation, and she has passed on their worries to the first minister.

The Scottish government said Mr Yousaf had received Dame Judi's letter and would reply in due course.

It added that last year it provided £176,000 to keep the mobile cinema operating on a temporary service.

The Screen Machine is run by the charity Regional Screen Scotland.

It uses a lorry with its trailer fitted out as a small cinema to tour the Highlands, Western Isles, Northern Isles and Argyll.

Last September, the charity warned the service could end if it could not find enough money for a new purpose-built vehicle.

Children in Barra, in the Western Isles, wrote to Dame Judi after some of them saw her on TV talking about her love of Scotland.

In her letter, the actress said she hoped the Scottish government could help secure the future of the service.

She said the children of Barra were "desperate" for a 50% shortfall in funding to pay for a new vehicle to be resolved.

Dame Judi, whose many films include Shakespeare in Love and Skyfall, said the cinema was a lifeline service to rural communities.

In her letter, she praised the children's efforts.

She said: "They have put a lot of effort into their letters and are most sincere in their pleas."

Dame Judi has declined to comment. Her agents sent a copy of her letter to Castlebay Community School.

A Scottish government spokesperson said: “The Scottish government understands the unique cultural contribution that the Screen Machine makes to communities who otherwise would struggle to visit the cinema.

“We continue to liaise with relevant parties to explore any avenues for support.”