CHILDREN dressed up as their favourite film characters to save the former EMD cinema.

Around 100 youngsters protested outside the Grade II listed venue in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, yesterday (Saturday).

The disused cinema was sold to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in 2003 and they are seeking to turn it into a church.

Campaigners are not only trying to save the cinema but also create awareness of the lack of cultural facilities in Waltham Forest.

"This is the first generation of children since the 1890s who have not had access to a cinema in their town centre," said Bill Hodgson, a spokesman for the McGuffin Film Society, who are campaigning to save the EMD.

He added: "Parents are forced to spend their money in other boroughs if they want to their children to watch films. It's a ludicrous situation."

The UCKG have held a public exhibition about the plans to convert the former cinema into a church, with rooms for private hire.

A planning application for the rennovation of the building is due to be submitted to Waltham Forest Council shortly.

Paul Hill, UCKG spokesman, said: "All the features and fittings are going to be restored as original.

"If we are given the chance to do what we want to restore the property, they will see how committed we are and how pleased they are going to be of being able to use the building once again."

The campaign to save the cinema has already received the support of rock star Sir Mick Jagger, broadcaster and former Leytonstone resident Tony Robinson, actress and screenwriter Meera Syal, who lives in Woodford Green, and vetran politician and historian Tony Benn.