BUDLEIGH Film Society s first season has been hailed a huge success, with the membership having grown to 387.

BUDLEIGH Film Society's first season has been hailed a huge success, with the membership having grown to 387.

Just 18 months after a small group of movie buffs discussed the idea of a Film Society, the membership has grown so fast that now more than a dozen people are on the waiting list for next season.

Chairman Stuart Yerrell said: "I never dreamt that my original target of 250 members for a viable project would be so far exceeded that we had to split the membership into two sessions.

"Twice during the year we have had to close the membership lists temporarily to make sure we could fit everyone in. Luckily, it's good news for next season; our figures show that we can afford to expand, so new members are officially welcome."

The society will follow the same pattern next season, starting in September with showings at 5pm and 8pm, once a month on Wednesdays.

Most members have already renewed their subscriptions but audience reaction slips, completed after each viewing, have thrown up a few surprises.

The most popular of the nine-film season was Les Choristes, about a choir in a French correctional school in 1949 with the runners up being The Lives of Others, set in the East German Republic, and Water, set in India in 1938 during Gandhi's rise to power.

"It is interesting to know that our audience likes foreign films and is not afraid of sub-titles," said Stuart. "It was difficult to choose the first season's films, not knowing in advance what kind of films would be appreciated, but now that we have one season behind us we are confident that the programme for the coming season will be even better, he added.

"I would like to thank all those who have supported us financially or given their time to help make the society such a success. The enthusiasm has been most encouraging and I look forward to welcoming members old and new in September."

Anyone interested in joining should contact the new membership secretary, Kirsten Goodesmith, 11a, Westfield Rd, Budleigh Salterton, tel:(01395) 446257.