ANDOVER is closer than ever before to getting its own multi-screen cinema after months of negotiation.

The announcement was made by Test Valley Borough Council leader Ian Carr at last week's full council meeting, after he received a 1,000-name petition collected by the Liberal Democrats.

Mr Carr said: "I am pleased to say that as a result of much thorough research and negotiation over the last six months, we have the interest of some key players in the business.

"Our aim is to bring a multi-screen cinema to Andover and we are closer than we've ever been to pulling off a deal."

He declined to say anything further because the negotiations were at a delicate stage.

"Due to this and commercial sensitivities, I would prefer not to give further information at the moment," said Mr Carr.

"When I have some more concrete information, I will share it with you."

After the meeting council leisure chief Ian McKie said the site being considered for the cinema was well within walking distance of the town centre and would contribute to Andover's evening economy.

If everything went through it would not be a multiplex cinema, which normally has about 10 screens, but there would be several.

But the issue prompted a political row when Mr Carr described the Liberal Democrats' petition as 'political opportunism'.

He said: "Members will be aware that the provision of a cinema for Andover has been of the highest priority for this administration and we have, for very many months, been aware of public feeling on this issue."

Mr Carr said in his leader's speech in May he announced the delivery of a cinema as a key priority.

"This is why I say the petition, which was started after my announcement, is political opportunism and not a means to get the council to deliver," he said, although the names on the petition reaffirmed the mandate the council had to press on with getting a cinema.

But Cllr Mark Cooper said: "I think it's wrong to accuse councillors of political opportunism. It's a matter of initiative and I don't think the leader should inhibit that initiative."

The council backed an amended motion from Cllr Robin Hughes supporting The Cinemas (Rural Areas) Bill, which includes various measures designed to bolster cinema provision.