THREE Bexley councillors went to the pictures yesterday to decide whether kids can see one of this summer's hottest films.

The councillors, members of Bexley Council's licensing panel crossed over the road from the council offices in Bexleyheath to take a look at Spider-Man.

Among the popcorn and fizzy drinks, they had to decide whether the film, based on the classic American comic book character, was too violent or frightening for children aged under 12 to see.

Bexleyheath's cinema, Cineworld, applied to the council to review the British Board of Film Classification's (BBFC) decision to give the film a 12 certificate.

They want the certificate downgraded to PG (Parental Guidance), which would allow children younger than 12 to see the film as long as they were accompanied by an adult. The cinema says it is bowing to pressure from cinema-goers who are complaining their children will not be able to see the film.

But a BBFC press release described Spider-Man as "possibly the most violent film which is aimed at a young audience, that the BBFC has classified.

"The levels of violence make the film a borderline 15 rating and most certainly not suitable for a PG rating which would allow very young children to see the film."

Being able to reclassify film ratings is one of the council's little-known powers. Applications have been made about Spider-Man to less than a dozen councils. A couple have changed the classification.

July 16, 2002 11:30