BRITAIN'S most famous film buff Leslie Halliwell was honoured at Bolton's last surviving cinema yesterday.

Film devotees were on hand to see a plaque unveiled to commemorate the work of the world famous critic at the ABC on Bradshawgate.

Great Lever born Leslie Halliwell was a regular at the ABC when it was known as the Lido and one of over 22 picture palaces in the town.

Yesterday it was described as "Bolton's last stand in cinema" when Cllr Gerald Riley, chairman of the Leisure Services Committee, and award winning comedian Peter Kay who works at the ABC, unveiled the plaque.

The comedian spoke about Halliwell's life, his great contribution to the industry and the magic of visiting the cinema.

"Like everyone else in the town, every screen, every seat and every film holds many memories," he said.

David Crank, 36, of Farnworth was one of a handful of film buffs gathered to watch the ceremony.

He said: "Cinema is one of the best forms of public entertainment in the 20th century and it is important we honour those who made it so."

Leslie Halliwell left Bolton to go to Cambridge University and went on to become a world famous authority on the cinema and create the film buff's bible, Halliwell's Film Guide.

He put his love of the cinema down to his mother and often spoke about his first visit to the pictures as a four-year-old when he went to the Queens, now the town centre Comet shop.

Leslie Halliwell died in 1989 and is honoured by film Cinema 100 who are awarding 200 plaques as part of national centenary celebrations.

Bolton actor Robert Shaw has also been honoured and last night his best known film, Jaws, was shown at the ABC.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.