CAMPAIGNERS against plans to turn the former EMD cinema into a church packed a Walthamstow pub this afternoon as part of a 'day of action'.

Organised by the McGuffin Film Society, the event began at 3pm and saw hundreds of people crowding the Rose and Crown in Hoe Street to register their objections.

People were encouraged either to sign a pre-written letter of protest to the council or to write their own.

Walthamstow MP Neil Gerrard, who attended the event, said: "It's really important that anybody who doesn't want to see the cinema disappear puts in their objections.

"If we want to see this town centre regenerated, one of the things we need is something to attract people to come, especially in the evening."

Dubbed the 'last chance to save the cinema', it also featured documentary screenings, face painting for children and '80s rocker Ed Tudor-Pole is set to perform at 9pm tonight (Sunday).

Bill Hodgson, of the McGuffin Film Society, said: "We want to use people's energy constructively to do something that's going to make a difference.

"Writing an objection is the only thing that does have an impact."

He also claimed that cinema companies including Genesis in Mile End had expressed an open interest in buying the building.

Mr Hodgson added: "I'm always hopeful. In the first hour, we had more than one object every minute - we need that to keep up throughout the day."

Walthamstow resident Deborah Williams, 45, of Elmfield Road, was among the first to write a letter of objection earlier this afternoon.

She said: "Basically, I was just saying it would be really nice if the whole of the community could be represented.

"People who don't necessarily have any religious belief need to be listened to as well."

The former cinema has been at the centre of an ongoing row after it was purchased by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in 2001.

Campaigners believe the building should be restored and returned to use as a cinema and have been backed by a number of celebrities, including Mick Jagger and Alan Davies.

Today's event finishes at 11pm.