THE team behind plans for a community buy-out of Helensburgh's only cinema have urged local residents to move quickly to snap up tickets for a public event at the venue.

The 'Save the Tower Community Buyout Steering Group' are in talks with the Scottish Land Fund over what would be involved in bringing the Tower Digital Arts Centre into community ownership.

The buyout project was launched last week amid concern that a “shadow of uncertainty” hangs over the Sinclair Street facility’s future.

The group revealed that the centre's founder, Brian Keating, is "contemplating a transition to retirement due to circumstances beyond his control" - prompting the steering group's members to look to secure a long-term future for the popular venue.

They're planning a community engagement event at the Tower on Saturday, February 3 when they'll tell the venue's story and explain more detail about the buy-out plan.

But in an update posted to the 'Save the Tower Arts Centre' page on Facebook on Tuesday, they warned: "If you’d like a ticket for the Community Engagement Event, you’d better be quick as there’s not many left!"

The same update revealed the six members of the steering group for the first time.

They are Henry Boswell, Brian Sayer, Paul Lyden, Helen Ewing, Donna Hicks and Dave Dunbar.

And the initiative has already got off to a good start, with the Helensburgh branch of the Federation of Small Businesses [FSB], Helensburgh Community Council [HCC], and local MSP Jackie Baillie all voicing their support for the idea.

The UK Cinema Association has also backed the volunteers’ buyout plans - even though the Tower is not a member of the organisation.

UKCA chief executive Phil Clapp said: “Recent developments at the Tower Digital Arts Centre are a clear indication of the challenges that many smaller UK venues are currently facing but, perhaps more importantly, also the deep affection that many communities have for the local cinema.

“We wish those behind these latest efforts every good wish in securing the future of what is clearly a much-loved local venue.”

To secure your ticket for the February 3 event, click here.