RAPTUROUS applause marked the end of the fifth Oxford Senior Citizens’ Film Festival after 500 people flocked through the doors during the three-day event.

The festival is held every year at the Phoenix Picturehouse, in Walton Street, Jericho, and sponsored by the Oxford Mail.

The appropriately festive classic White Christmas with Bing Crosby closed the event, which had opened with The King’s Speech last Tuesday.

Also specially screened, just for the festival, was the latest remake of Jane Eyre.

Pensioners were invited to join the annual get-together for just the price of their Oxford Mail, and those cinema-goers who turned up with the paper, or bought that day’s issue in the cinema’s foyer, were treated to free mince pies and hot drinks.

With people travelling in from as far afield as Henley and even beyond Oxfordshire’s borders, Jeremy Smith, our entertainments editor, said this year’s cinematic celebration was “a right Christmas cracker”.

Mr Smith added: “You know everyone has had a great time when, at the end of a film, they all spontaneously burst into applause. It was the perfect end to three great days of wonderful movies, all boasting that great Saturday afternoon feel-good factor.

“And I would like thank everyone who came along for making it feel so special, and as always the staff at the Phoenix for being so generous. Now, as far as I’m concerned, Christmas has started.”

Suzy Sheriff, manager of the Phoenix agreed. She said: “We love holding this event. Everyone who comes along is so lovely, we get to catch up with old friends, and it just feels so Christmassy.”