Home of Metal's vintage cinema hits Midlands

A vintage cinema on wheels made an appearance in the centre of Wolverhampton as part of exhibitions celebrating the West Midlands as the home of the heavy metal music scene.

The mobile cinema dates back to 1967 and is being used to showcase a range of short films, music documentaries and archive footage from the local area, for free.

In 1967 Minister of Technology Tony Benn commissioned seven mobile cinemas to tour British factories promoting modern production methods.

After a few years of service the fleet was sold off, and by 2003 the only known survivor was rusting in a field in Essex.

Devon arts graduate and vintage vehicle enthusiast Ollie Halls and his partner Emma Giffard spent five years restoring the 22-seater vehicle. It has been back on the road since spring 2010.

Throughout the Home of Metal Black Country Weekender, which runs until Sunday, the cinema will be touring the area.

The cinema's first stop was at Queen's Square, Wolverhampton, yesterday. It will be at Dudley Museum and Art Gallery today (Friday) from 10am to 4pm, the New Art Gallery Walsall, tomorrow (Saturday) 11am to 4pm and Haden Hill House, Halesowen from 11am to 4pm Sunday. Visit www.homeofmetal.com