CINEMA managers in Bolton have welcomed the introduction of a new 12A film classification -- allowing children to watch movies like Spider-Man provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Spider-Man, which was a huge hit during the summer, is to be immediately relaunched alongside a new, revised advertising campaign, ending the disappointment some parents felt when their children were turned away from cinemas.

Films like Moulin Rouge and The Mummy Returns could also have benefited from the new classification.

Many people believed Spider-Man was suitable for youngsters but although children could buy the toys, trade the stickers and wear the suits, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) granted it a 12 certificate barring children below that age from seeing it.

Ian Walker, manager of UGC Cinemas in Astley Bridge, said: "This new rating will make our lives a lot easier especially because the 12 certificate is a very difficult one for staff to police. We have had to turn many children away from Spider-Man so this new certificate is very good news and I think it will be used for many films in the future."

Cinema managers will have to place a tagline alongside the 12A rating informing parents the film "contains some scenes of strong fantasy violence".

However, some people, including children's charities, have said the change would make it more difficult for parents to try to stop youngsters watching violent films. The former 12 certificate has been scrapped.

A spokesman for Kidscope said: "The next thing we will be scrapping the 15 certificate and then there will be no classification at all." Spider-Man was first released in the UK on June 14 and has gone on to be one of the biggest blockbusters this year, grossing more than £27 million to date in the UK.

News of the revised classification follows the refusal by councillors in neighbouring Bury to overturn the film's 12 rating. The film was watched by the Licensing and Safety Panel at the Warner Brothers Cinema in Pilsworth, Bury but they refused to make the movie PG.

The 12A classification allows scenes of nudity and "soft" drug taking, although both must be brief and justified in the context. Scenes of violence are also allowed if they do not dwell on detail.