Great news for British film buffs. The world's first digital cinema network is to be set up in the UK.

Most cinemas currently have mechanical projectors but the new network will see up to 250 screens in up to 150 cinemas fitted with digital projectors capable of displaying high definition images.

The new network will double the world's total of digital screens.

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The key benefit of the digital network will be an increase in the distribution and screening of British films, documentaries and foreign language films.

"Access to specialised film is currently restricted across the UK," said Pete Buckingham, head of Distribution and Exhibition at the UK Film Council.

"Although a genuine variety of films is available in central London and a few other metropolitan areas, the choice for many outside these areas remains limited, and the Digital Screen Network will improve access for audiences across the UK,"

Digital prints costs less than a traditional 35mm print - giving distributors more flexibility in how they screen films, said Ms Deans.

"It can cost up to £1,500 to make a copy of a print for specialist films. "In the digital world you can make prints for considerably less than that.

"Distributors can then send out prints to more cinemas and prints can stay in cinemas for much longer."

For those of us outside of the London area who have an appetite for films other than the big Hollywood blockbusters this is potentially great news. I am relatively lucky in that I live within striking distance of Bristol and Bath, but even in these cities the access to independent films is scandalous.

Foreign movies will perhaps show once or twice in the couple of art house cinemas in the centre of Bristol. Even successful independent cinema is difficult to find. Sideways is currently showing 6 times a day in the Bristol/Bath area, Vera Drake 10 times, the same week they are both in contention for Oscars. Compare this with the daily 39 screenings of Meet the Fockers. Bring on the choice.