BOSSES at Suffolk’s oldest cinema have been forced to postpone their plans to move into the 21st century.

Staff at Leiston Film Theatre were expecting to screen their first 3D picture next week.

However they have now been told by their suppliers that their order of a digital cinema projector and Dolby 3D system has been delayed because of unprecedented demand.

The 96 year old venue was due to show family film Cats and Dogs: Revenge of Kitty Galore in 3D from Friday.

However it has now been forced to replace the planned screenings with the 2D version of the same film - leaving theatre manager Wayne Burns bitterly disappointed.

“We were previously advised by our supplier that our order would be dispatched from Germany this week and that a 3D launch date of August 20 was achievable,” he said. “We have invested a great deal of money in promoting this date for our first 3D performance. I am devastated by this news and feel totally let down.”

Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council, which owns and operates the theatre, gave the cinema �25,000 to put towards a replacement projector, while the members of Leiston Film Theatre Support Club also agreed to fund nearly �50,000 of the project.

The suppliers are believed to be struggling to get components for the new state-of-the-art piece of kit because demand is so high.

The delay also effects the planned screenings of Piranha 3D, which was due to open on Friday, September 3.

Hannah Barber, assistant manager at the film theatre, said: “This situation really is out of our hands and we have done all we can to divert this situation. We hope that our customers will be understanding.”

The theatre is now planning to launch its 3D technology on Friday, September 24 with a screening of Piranha 3D.