GRAFFITI knitting adorned the Ealing Empire Cinema site on Saturday as a mark of protest.

West Ealing Women’s Institute used hoardings surrounding the cinema as a canvas for their knitted protest against there being no dedicated cinema in Ealing.

Lorna Barton-Nicol, president of West Ealing WI, said: “It’s outrageous that, given Ealing’s historic contribution to film, we still don’t have a dedicated cinema.”

Famous graffiti knitter Deadly Knitshade spoke at a meeting in January, inspiring members to get creative for the Ealing Music and Film Valentine Festival.

Mrs Barton-Nicol said the session motivated members to knit, crochet and sew hearts for the festival, to show their love of film.

WI treasurer Stephanie Keen knitted film characters, including the ballerina from The Red Shoes, a film shown during the festival.

Other characters created include Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Wall-E and Spiderman.

The cinema remains unfinished, despite Empire Cinemas being given permission for a multiplex site by planners in December 2011. Ealing Council has repeatedly threatened to compulsorily purchase the site to hasten progress.

West Ealing is a ‘new wave’ WI with a book club, craft group, choir and pub quiz team. It arranges frequent cultural outings.

It meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at Northfields Community Centre at 7:30pm.

The next meeting is February 25 and is open to women of all ages.