Bath's Little Theatre has had the busiest week in its 70-year history as a cinema.

The independent venue says its recent takings have been a heartening testimony to local people's interest in films.

Thanks to the screenings of Danny Boyle's multi-award winning blockbuster Slumdog Millionaire and the acclaimed Kate Winslet drama The Reader, takings at the two-screen 260-seat picture house topped £25,500 last week.

In a normal week, income would be half, at around £12,000.

Last week a total of 2,300 people paid to see Slumdog Millionaire, accounting for ticket sales of nearly £11,300.

Manager Martin Jennings-Wright said: "These figures are really heartening. It shows that good films will always capture the imagination of the public, and that cinema is still alive and kicking, even in the current economic climate.

"The staff have done a brilliant job catering for an unprecedented number of people coming in to see the films we've been offering."

The Little's live screenings of operas from the prestigious New York Met are proving popular as well, with nearly 750 people paying a total of £13,500 to watch the series of six operas.

The sales success come just as The Little celebrates the 70th anniversary of the first screening of feature films at the picture house, and the launch of a £100,000 improvement appeal.

Highlights to come include a gala screening of the 1950s black and white movie The Smallest Show on Earth on February 4, with guests of honour the actors Virginia McKenna and Leslie Phillips, who both starred in it.

The appeal will help fund for an upgrade to the air conditioning system, enhanced seating in the main auditorium balcony, roof repairs, modernisation of the projection facilities, and the installation of a bar and meeting area.

The building in St Michael's Place, started life in 1913 as a community theatre and has stayed in the same King family ever since, through four generations.