GRAVESEND's burnt-out cinema could have a saviour in the shape of a businessman who once worked there.

Andy Moir says it is "early days" but he is investigating the possibility of managing a small cinema in the now-derelict King Street site.

Three-quarters of the cinema building was damaged beyond repair in an arson attack in January.

Teenager Kieron Butler, 13, collected more than 5,000 signatures single-handedly as part of his campaign to resurrect Gravesend's cinema to its former glory.

Mr Moir was put in contact with Kieron after he answered an advertisement from consultants acting on the behalf of the owner, looking for people to run a cinema in the building.

The 34-year-old is interested in running a single-screen cinema, with an entrance in Queen Street.

He is aiming to have around 250 seats and show two to three mainstream films a day.

The company director of Lasertex Ltd, which supplies and installs commercial laundry equipment and is based in Prospect Place, Gravesend, says he is waiting to see final plans and costs from the owner.

But he is keen to return a cinema to Gravesend.

Mr Moir, who also attempted to launch proposals for an outdoor cinema in Lord Street car park, worked at the former cinema as a technician in the late 1980s when he was 19-years-old.

He says his knowledge of cinema equipment would be a great advantage.

Mr Moir said: "I have been pushing for this cinema.

"I wanted an open-air cinema in Lord Street as I thought Gravesend needed something more modern.

"For a child, Kieron Butler is quite clued up."

St George's School pupil Kieron recently presented his petition to a full meeting of Gravesham Council.

He said: "This weekend the cinema would have been 75 years old. I look forward to the cinema coming back. It would make a lot of people happy."