A NEW £10,000 sound system at the South Woodford Odeon means blind and visually impaired patrons can now enjoy a better cinematic experience.

The Digital Theatre Sound (DTS) system allows more films to be played with subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on a regular basis, and now films can be shown with an audio description.

Those with sight problems will now, thanks to a cordless headset and the DTS system will be able to have a description of what is happening in the film; for instance, it will say when an actor is moving around.

No doubt the audio description will come in handy for a film containing a car chase but Odeon general manager, Richard Shaw, is expecting demand to be high for the headsets with the release of Shrek 2.

Trial runs of the DTS system with Harry Potter 3, the Prisoner of Azkaban proved very popular at the High Road cinema with mainly adults putting in an order for the headsets.

Eight headsets are currently available at the cinema, and have to be pre-booked. Mr Shaw says more headsets can be ordered if demand is high.

Screen one in the cinema has been fitted with the DTS system.

Mr Shaw has written to local organisations which cater for those with hearing and sight disabilities, about the new system and he is expecting it to be popular with the local community.

He said: "We are aware of disability issues, and we want to improve people's cinematic experience and this is a great way to cater for everyone's needs. We want to be a cinema for the community."

More than 50 Odeon cinemas across the UK have been fitted with the new DTS system.

For more information or to book a headset call the South Woodford Odeon on 8989 4066.