WARRINGTON'S short film festival will this year focus on the campaign to save the YMCA.

Long Shot has been running since 2009 and the annual festival supports the town's budding filmmakers.

The 2016 event takes place on Friday, November 4, at Winmarleigh House and will feature a special documentary by Michael Dunbar highlighting how much of a lifeline the YMCA is to those who use its services.

The YMCA, which has been in Warrington for more than 160 years, faces serious closure threats after it lost £38,000 a year in council funding in April.

Winmarleigh House has offered its facilities for free and all ticket money raised will go towards the appeal to keep the YMCA open.

Myles Winstone, 43, set up the short film festival with Thelwall resident Tony Fennell.

The Bath Street resident said: “Long Shot has always focused on Warrington, and it’s great that with this year’s festival we’re not only promoting the town's talent but raising money for a worthy cause.

"The YMCA is an institution close to many people’s hearts. Without it some of the most vulnerable people in the community will have nowhere to go for help so hopefully everyone who comes to Long Shot can do their bit to keep the lights on into 2017."

Long Shot accept any short film with a Warrington connection.

Myles, whose favourite film is The Usual Suspects starring the late Warrington actor Pete Postlethwaite, added: "Over the years the shorts we’ve shown have ranged from students making their first foray into film to professionals who want to keep supporting local filmmaking by making their work available to Long Shot."

Around right films will be shown on the night including a selection of new shorts, the YMCA documentary and a couple of Tony and Myles' personal favourites.

Myles said: "The festival is a celebration of Warrington talent, and driven by a desire to prove you can make great creative work no matter what your technical skill level."

- Tickets for Long Shot 2016 are £3 (£2 concessions). Buy them online at ticketsource.co.uk/date/299223 or on the door, subject to availability.

DAVID MORGAN