An independent cinema is being converted to show the summer’s blockbusters in 3-D.

The update of the equipment is taking place this week at the Plaza cinema in Skipton.

The small cinema was the first to show the film version of the Calendar Girls story when it was chosen to premiere the movie.

The 3-D launch will be celebrated with a charity screening of Toy Story 3 on Friday, July 16.

It is to raise money for research into Mesathelioma, the disease caused by exposure to asbestos dust. And also in memory of former Walt Disney employee, Reg Vaux, who lived in Threshfield, near Skipton, and died of the disease in February. He worked as a film distributor for the company.

Cinema boss Charlies Morris said: “We’ve been watching the emergence of 3-D for some while and have been assessing the various systems on offer.

“We’re now making a considerable investment to bring the new technology to Craven and have a new screen and the 3-D upgrade.

“3-D is a totally different experience than it was in the past. With digital technology the image is streets ahead in terms of brightness, definition and the overall effect.’’ The 3-D experience will start on Saturday, June 26, with the animated Shrek Forever After. It is followed by Toy Story 3, which will be screened after the charity event.

Among other 3-D films screened for the summer and beyond will be Cats And Dogs and The Last Airbender.

Tickets at £12 are now on sale at the cinema for the charity screening. Skipton traders and the Disney company have donated gifts which will be raffled during the evening.

Details of the on-line booking facility are on the cinema’s website at nm-cinemas.co.uk