A LIFE-SIZE sculpture of film legend Alfred Hitchcock was unveiled to mark the 80th anniversary of the EMD Cinema in Walthamstow.

The caricature sculpture, created by artist Roger Todd, was one of the highlights of the event, which was organised by The McGuffin Film Society.

About 800 people attended the celebration around Hatherley Mews on Saturday (September 18). The statue was unveiled at the Victoria Pub in Hoe Street.

Mr Hodgson said: "The Hitchcock sculpture was the icing on the cake at the end of a very successful day.

"It was great to see so many local people turn out in support of the cinema and help mark this anniversary with such enthusiasm.

"We are not sure where the sculpture will be based permanently. It was made mainly for the anniversary event.

"Our turnout was great - there's no doubt that people want the venue to stay open as a cinema.

"If we didn't have the support of the public, we would have run out of steam a long time ago."

The Mews also played host to an exhibition of cinema-inspired art alongside a display of potential designs for a revived EMD.

These included a proposal by local architect Paul King to reinvent the cinema as Britain's greenest picture house.

Plans to revive the cinema created when the building was temporarily put up for sale in 2006 were also put on show for the first time.

The venue closed in 2003 when it was purchased by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which hopes to convert the venue into a church.

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