The day Errol Flynn didn't come to Larne

Fred Aicken, 90, who now lives in Hatfield, England, was stunned after reading a recent article in the Larne Times, which referred to a souvenir programme dating back to the cinema's opening ceremony on March 13,1937.

When he read the story and saw a photograph of the old programme, Mr Aicken's memory was rekindled and he realised that he had, in fact, composed the programme when he was just a 17-year-old boy and self-proclaimed "film buff".

Mr Aicken said: "My father was the manager of the cinema in 1937, when its changed its name from the Electric Picture House to the Regal Picture House.

"We lived on Victoria Road at the time and I had a real interest in films, so I volunteered to write the programme for the opening ceremony.

"But I had completely forgotten about it until I came across the article in the paper a few weeks ago. It brought back a lot of memories, like the times I would help out in the projection room.

"I remember seeing the old cinema being removed and the new one arise week by week from September 1936 to March 1937.

"The original idea was to have Errol Flynn open it, as he happened to in Belfast at the time. Unfortunately, he was called back to Hollywood and had to decline the offer - at least that is what he said! Mrs Killen, who was involved in many charities locally, took his place."

Read the full story in this week's paper.