The mock film reel was stretched around the front of the theatre

Managers at the Theatre Royal, Barry, in the Vale of Glamorgan, have said they expect the cinema to close on 10 April as the lease has run out.

Protesters gave an 8,000-name petition against the closure to Jane Hutt AM, who backs the bid to save the venue.

Neither the leaseholder nor landowner were available for comment.

Campaigners hope the discovery of an old Edwardian theatre behind one of the screens will help save the cinema.

Bob Armstrong, chair of the Save Our Cinema Association, said the protest aimed to be a "peaceful show of support" and the mock film reel "like a barrier" around the cinema.

A 'save our cinema' themed poster competition was held for children and stilt walkers and balloon twisters were on hand.

This is one of the last parts of Barry's history. A lot of people rely on this. Bob Armstrong, Save Our Cinema Association

Vale of Glamorgan Council leader coun Margaret Alexander backs the campaign as well as local AM Ms Hutt.

A copy of the petition will be sent to the landowner who, the group say, they have been unable to contact.

Speaking before the demonstration, Mr Armstrong said: "We've got all these multiplexes around. This is the very last cinema in Barry and one of the last independent cinemas in the country."

The cinema had been established before 1908, he said, but had been rebuilt in 1910 so it was nearing its centenary.

Mr Armstrong, who runs a fancy dress and balloon shop in Barry, has visited the cinema since childhood and said the group were "passionate" about the venue.

The cinema was established before 1908 and rebuilt in 1910

He added: "This is one of the last parts of Barry's history. A lot of people rely on this. A lot of pensioners go there regularly.

"A lot of children whose mothers can't afford to send them into Cardiff go there. The staff are fantastic, they allow them to put bikes into one of the rooms so they are safe."

The group are looking into the possibility of taking on the cinema as a trust to run it as a community venue, incorporating a cinema and small performance area.

Last month, the cinema's leaseholder, Brian Bull, who previously ran the Monico cinema in Rhiwbina, Cardiff and cinemas in Swansea and Bargoed, declined to comment.