ELDERLY residents are thrilled with the new cinema unveiled at their care home.

Townsend House in Headington, run by the Orders of St John Care Trust, spent £5,000 transforming a disused room into a place where residents can enjoy films. Resident Marion Dyson, 93, said: “It is smashing.

“A lot of people love cinemas, so it will make a difference.”

Resident Russell Blakemore, 71, added: “It is lovely. I would like to go again. I was really happy because I cut the ribbon to open it.”

Residents of the Bayswater Road home listened to a jazz singer then watched the Humphrey Bogart wartime classic Casablanca to celebrate the opening on Friday. Home manger Sharon Wassing said: “The cinema gives the residents freedom and independence.

“The home has not had anything like this before. Before the room was just somewhere people dumped stuff. Now it is being used in a positive manner.”