In for Bingo, Out for the Movies.

Traditional bingo halls are feeling the pinch with online bingo booming and cinema attendances at a seven year high.

Figures released from the Film Council this week show that cinema attendances were at their highest level since 2002 last year. The numbers have varied in the past seven years, peaking in 2002 with a total of 175.9m admissions and dipping to 156.6m in 2006.

Bingo halls have been suffering ever since the smoking ban but it seems like smokers are prepared to go without nicotine for the duration of a film.

Former bingo caller and smoker Lenny Meintal said: "I used to call the call the bingo in Norwich and remember packed halls filled with smoke. I don't call the bingo any more but my wife and I love to go to the local Mecca every now and again.

"The problem is we are both heavy smokers and it can feel like a long night if you can't have a cigarette. We both play our bingo online now and - if we want to go out - getting through a two hour movie is much easier," he said.

Costa Bingo room manager Debbie Gent said: "Business certainly has been booming for us and it's good to see that people can still take some time out and go to the cinema. At Costa Bingo, you can wear what you want, watch television, and smoke as much as you like.

"In fact, you could even watch a movie as you played bingo! Try doing that at your local bingo hall," she quipped.