TEIGNMOUTH councillors have overwhelmingly backed a bid to apply for a £5,000 grant to investigate the possibility of opening a cinema in the resort, despite one member branding it a 'waste of money.'

Cllr Ian Parkes alone opposed the initiative, saying the cash should be spent on improving much needed youth facilities in the town.

A charitable body has been set up to promote a community cinema, and wants to bid for up to £5,000 from a new 'electors' fund', for a feasibility study into the project, as part of the drive to regenerate the town.

Cllr Parkes said that it was obvious that most people would favour a cinema, and there were only three possible locations – the mothballed cinema at the Riviera, the community school or the Carlton Theatre.