Historically important film projectors have been rescued from the former Southport Theatre by Sefton Council and partners working on the Marine Lake Events Centre project.

Three huge projectors had to be carefully lifted out of the building, which is currently being demolished, by crane in a planned operation by the Local Authority's demolition contractor DSM earlier this week.

Roof removed

Such is the size of the machines the roof of the former theatre had to be removed before they projectors could be taken out.

They will now be safely stored away along with other historical memorabilia from the building ahead of its incredible transformation into the Marine Lake Events Centre.

Oscar

Two of the projectors are Philips DP70s which gained popularity in the 1950s and early 1960s and are one of the first mass produced movie projectors and is famously renowned as the 'only projector to win an Oscar.'

They were last formally used in Southport in the 1990s before demand for live shows became so high that theatre managers took the decision to stop showing movies.

The third projector rescued is a 16mm film projector which started its working life in Granada Studios before being moved to the Promenade based theatre.

Protect and cherish

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said: "Throughout the creation of the Marine Lake Events Centre we are determined to do everything we can to protect and cherish some of the most historically important assets associated with the former Southport Theatre.

"We know from listening to feedback from residents and people around the town that they were concerned about what would happen to the historic memorabilia such as the projectors and we are delighted to be able to keep them safe so that they may be incorporated into the future Marine Lake Events Centre space in some way."

You can find out more about the Marine Lake Events Centre here.