A CONTROVERSIAL film based on the child sex novel Lolita could be banned from Bolton cinemas. Trading Standards chief Andrew Fisher says the film, passed uncut by the chief censor and granted an 18 certificate for viewing in cinemas nationwide, can be "stopped" if they receive letters of objection from local people. Campaigner for family values and decency Tom Jones is urging Bolton people to put pen to paper and object to the film.

Mr Jones, of Shelbourne Avenue, Smithills, has already written to Mr Fisher asking the authority not to give the film a licence.

The film, due for release in May, is also at the centre of a campaign by anti-pornography activists who are urging the Crown Prosecution Service to act against the film makers.

Mr Jones, who has set up his nationwide campaign for decency, works for Chorley Social Services and has been involved with talks with John Beyer of the National Viewers and Listeners Association.

Mr Jones said: "Film makers have started making films about things like child abuse and have started turning it into entertainment.

"There is an awful lot of child abuse taking place and we have to address this problem.

"There is too much sex and violence on our screens. Bolton councillors have a duty to ensure that children are protected."

The film is based on the 1950s version taken from the novel about a man's fascination with a teenage girl.

James Firman, the director of the British Board of Film Classification, who passed Lolita, resigned on Friday following the storm over the film.

Mr Jones added: "If we let this one through then we open up the floodgates for other films.

"I don't believe it should be swept under the carpet - but making this issue entertainment is not the way forward."

Mr Fisher said that it would be "very rare" if the licensing sub committee would refuse to grant the film permission to be shown in public cinemas.

But Mr Fisher added: "If we get written objections then the officers can grant a stop notice and then the film goes before the licensing sub committee who view the film and decide whether it should be shown.

"But our hands are tied at the moment. We have to first establish whether a Bolton cinema intends to show the film.

"Then we can act."

Home Office Minister Lord Williams of Mostyn has also written to Bolton West MP Ruth Kelly who passed on a letter to him from Mr Jones.

He said in reply: "Mr Jones may be assured that the Government takes very seriously the issue of pornography in films and videos and will be keeping the matter under review."

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