SKIPTON'S Plaza cinema is once again staging its traditional festive screening of the classic movie It's A Wonderful Life.

The film will be shown at 11am on Christmas Eve.

And there will be a screening later that day, at 5pm, at sister cinema The Picture House in Keighley.

Produced and directed by Frank Capra, It's A Wonderful Life – released in 1946 – stars James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his personal dreams and whose thoughts of suicide on Christmas Eve bring about the intervention of his guardian angel Clarence Odbody, played by Henry Travers.

"The screening has become a tradition at my cinemas over the last few years," says Charles Morris, managing director of Northern Morris Associated Cinemas.

"It really is the ultimate feelgood film of all time, and for me it's as much an essential part of Christmas as the turkey dinner, carols and the Christmas tree. Every year I look forward to watching it.

"We try to make it as happy a time as possible, including giving out mince pies at the end.

"We've the morning screening at Skipton, to put everyone in the right mood, then there is the teatime show at Keighley for people who have finally finished the day’s chores. There's nothing like watching a film in the company of a lot of happy people."

Tickets can be booked online at nm-cinemas.co.uk, or call at the cinema during normal opening hours.