THE UK's longest running cinema is encouraging more people with disabilities to visit.

For many people who use a wheelchair or have sensory needs, going to the cinema can be difficult for them and their carers.

But the The Duke of York’s Picturehouse at Preston Circus, Brighton, is hoping to reach out to people who may have a physical or mental disability by screening non-exclusive ‘All-Welcome' films regularly each month.

It has adjusted lighting, appropriate volume for those with sensory needs, and, crucially, no stairs to navigate wheelchairs on the ground floor.

The cinema has teamed up with disability charity The Bevern Trust - a registered charity based in Barcombe which provides 24-hour care to nine profoundly disabled residents and also has two beds for respite care.

This initiative began with a tribute to the late Gene Wilder by showing Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory last Friday.

Residents and their carers from The Bevern Trust said they were made to feel incredibly welcome and loved their visit to Brighton’s most celebrated cinema.

Cinema manager Felicity Beckett said: "I am so excited to be able to set up these screenings in association with The Bevern Trust who will be supporting us in our endeavour to make the Duke of York's a fully inclusive centre of the community.

"We hope to learn all we can with regards to a new era of customer service where we do our utmost to cater for everyone's cinema-going needs, no matter how great or small."

Matthew Cornish, fundraising and development manager at The Bevern Trust, said this is a wonderful opportunity to overcome social barriers and banish stereotypes around disability.

He said: "We’re very grateful to Felicity and her team. The Bevern Trust cares for people with profound disabilities but they still love a visit to the cinema just like anyone else.

"We’d encourage other disability charities to join us at the Duke of York’s each month for non-exclusive ‘All-Welcome’ screenings."