THE Windsor Cinema at Broadstairs is getting ready to roll out the red carpet for the big screen premiere of Thanet’s short film Eyes and Ears on Friday (12 August).

The innovative and educational film tackles the issue of anti-social behaviour and communicates important messages about vandalism, graffiti and abandoned vehicles by using the voices of local children through the animation of animal puppets and a community warden character called Malcolm.

It will be screened over a two week period from this week until Friday, August 26, during the trailer of two matinee showings of the Roald Dahl classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Originally launched in September last year at Newington Infants School, Ramsgate, after a successful bid from the Thanet Community Safety Partnership to the Neighbourhood Renewal Street Warden Unit, Eyes and Ears has now been shown to more than 8,000 children across Thanet and has received praise from the Home Office’s anti-social behaviour unit.

Cllr Ingrid Spencer, council cabinet member for housing and community, said: "This film has been successful in communicating the worries that local children have about vandalism, litter and graffiti in their community in a fun and educational way.

"We wanted to offer as many young people as possible the chance to see this successful film and the cinema seemed to be the prefect place to do just that.

"The Windsor cinema have kindly offered to show the film at peak family viewing times over the summer holidays and we are really delighted that our target audience will be given this unique chance to see the film.

"More than 8,000 children in Thanet have already seen the film at their primary school and this is an other fun way to keep these important messages alive."

Fact file:

* The film currently forms part of an educational programme run by the area’s community wardens, which includes a teacher’s pack and a community based activity such as a beach or street clean on each school visit. * Any nursery, play or community group or primary school wanting see the video or arrange a visit from a community warden next term, can contact 01843 577602.