Movie-lovers in a Kent town who have to travel more than 10 miles to see the latest release may soon have a cinema of their own.

Plans for a Kino-style auditorium for Tenterden have been shown to councillors by architect Siggi Nepp.

She envisages a small, independent, boutique-style cinema at the back of the town hall.

Currently, people from the town have to travel either to Ashford, Maidstone or Hawkhurst for their film fix.

After the meeting, Siggi said: "If you talk to local residents, the idea is very well received.

"This is an opportune time for the town council to make use of its assets. They have a fantastic building in the town hall which is under utilised.

"I hope it will lead to something – this could be really exciting. Tenterden has double the population of places where there are Kinos and it is shame that we do not have anything."

Town clerk Phil Burgess said that a cinema was just one idea being considered to make better use of the town hall.

"We want to make sure we consider all the options," he said. "A Kino is very exciting but we are not Kino-focused. It is one option we are considering."

Siggi Nepp has 18 years experience as an architect and is a director of Studio 9010, which is based in Tenterden.

Her presentation to the council's public works committee on Monday came about after she saw a Kentish Express story in April when former mayor Cllr Robin Wade floated the cinema idea as part of a £750,000 revamp of the town hall.

She contacted committee chairman Cllr Mike Carter who asked her to look into the possibilities.

She told councillors: "People will come to Tenterden. The town could do with something major.

"It is double the population of Rye and Hawkhurst [where there are Kinos] and the town hall is very under utilised and has lots of potential."

Siggi showed her designs for two options, both with a cinema at the rear of the town hall with a cafe and box office.

One had a single screen which would be 30% bigger than the 91-seater Kino at Hawkhurst.

The other envisaged a second auditorium on the first floor, with a new multi-function hall replacing the Assembly Room on the second floor.

She said that before going any further, the council would need a feasibility study to look into the costs and all the issues.