FOR film fans it marked the end of an era.

The choice of film was ironic - for cinema fans watching the screening of the American sci fi, Back to the Future, it was a trip back in time viewing the popular 1980s movie yet, for the ABC in Westover Road, Bournemouth where last week's charity screening took place, the future is no more as the cinema has now closed its doors for good bringing to an end the last of the ABC brand.

Formed in the late 1920s, Associated British Cinemas was one of the biggest cinema chains during the post war heyday of British cinema.

Subsequently the takeover by Odeon in 2000 led to the brand name ABC gradually disappearing.

Once a familiar name on our high streets, the ABC cinema brand certainly had a presence in Bradford occupying the Savoy in Darley Street and the ABC Ritz Cinema on Broadway.

But those were the days when the city and district picture house scene was thriving.

Among those many will remember from the city's cinema heyday are the Arcadian Cinema in Legrams Lane; Baildon's Picture House; Birch Lane Cinema in West Bowling; the Carlton in Manchester Road; the Coliseum in Toller Lane; the wonderfully named Cosy Cinema in Wibsey; the Coventry Hall Cinema in Wakefield Road; the Picture House at Dudley Hill; the Elite in Toller Lane; the Empress on Legrams Lane; the Grange Cinema in Great Horton Road; the Picture House at Greengates; the Picture House at Idle; the Lyceum at Thornbury; Low Moor Picture House; the Marlboro in Carlisle Road; the Oriental in Oak Lane; the Oxford Cinema at Undercliffe; the Plaza in Great Horton; the Queens Hall Cinema in Laisterdyke; the Roxy in Barkerend Road; the Rialto in Clayton; the Tennyson Cinema in Otley Road; the Tivoli Picture Hall in Leeds Road; the Towers Hall Cinema in Manchester Road; the Picture House at Thornton; the Victoria Cinema in Girlington; the Western Talkie Theatre and the Wyke Hippodrome.

Many have long been resigned to the history books, yet some small picture houses still remain.

Their existence and continued popularity, the fact they are thriving when many others have struggled to survive, appears to be the offer of something different, something quirky to a new generation of film fans who are keen to help preserve the past.

Many can recall, and will have fond memories of watching their favourite flicks on the silver screen.

First dates, a meet up with mates, school trips or get together with friends and work colleagues were often conducted at the local picture house or 'flea pit' as many were fondly referred.

Of course, the introduction of television gave people an incentive to stay at home instead of stepping out and seeking their own entertainment.

Years later, the arrival of the multiplexes gave film fans an alternative viewing venue but, even in a modern society and despite the advances of technology which have transformed the cinema experience, there is still something charming and endearing about old cinemas.

Mainly it is the memories they evoke; the fact you are stepping back to a time when we didn't have all this gadgetry; a time when people seemed to be content with the simple things in life.

For the smaller picture houses that continue to flourish, their survival could be largely down to people wanting a piece of the past or perhaps the opportunity to savour what is now a unique cinema experience with tilting seats rather than the luxury leather recliners introduced in some of the larger cinema complexes.

But such comfort doesn't compete with the cosy confines of a smaller more intimate, high street cinema.

For yesteryear's film fans it was an atmospheric experience, a real treat with many picture houses boasting grandiose interiors and even usherettes kitted out in stylish uniforms as they manned the foyers and aisles selling confectionary, ice-cream and cigarettes.

At the end of their lives the grandeur of some of the picture houses, once evident in the quality patterned carpets and heavy fabrics covering the tilting seats and draped around the cinema screen - those were the days when there wasn't the room nor the technology to extend as they do now to accommodate 3D viewing - may have faded, but they evoked a charm many film buffs find hard to resist.

Whatever your recollection of your own cinema experiences, we hope these photos of the ABC in Bradford from the T&A archive will bring back fond memories.