A CARNOCK actor has slammed the Odeon for gouging more money out of Dunfermline film fans and demotivating fellow actors and filmmakers.

Jamie Cowan has been put off visiting the cinema more times than he can count and is worried that if action isn't taken, the industry could lose out on gifted, creative talents.

And that's why he's supporting our Press, Take, Action! campaign calling on the screen giant to give West Fifers a fairer deal at the flicks and cut ticket prices.

The 23-year-old, who was selected for the Scottish Youth Theatre's National Ensemble this year, said: "I believe it is crucial for films to be accessible to as wide a range of people as possible; the art of film can uplift people, offer them new ideas and viewpoints, and provide hours of entertainment.

"A high ticket cost does nothing but deter cinema-goers.

"I think there’s a very strong possibility that high ticket prices are impacting the next generation of creatives from pursuing careers in film.

"High ticket prices have resulted in smaller, arthouse films slipping into the cracks, while blockbusters continue to thrive. For creatives looking to take their next steps in the industry, this can be a massive source of demotivation, knowing that their hard work and effort may amount to nothing due to needlessly high ticket costs."

After graduating from Fife College, he can now class himself as a full-time actor with a role in the big-budget historical drama Mary Queen of Scots recorded on his CV.

He added: "Personally, I’m more likely to not go to the cinema due to ticket prices than because the film in question has received negative reviews.

"I feel that given the huge profits that Odeon and other cinema chains already make (mostly through popcorn, another commodity with an artificially inflated price), the obscenely high ticket prices are nothing more than an attempt to gouge the average consumer out of even more money for the same product."

The Press, Take, Action! campaign was launched late last month and hundreds of you have already signed our online petition.

To show your backing for our campaign, please visit: www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/press-take-action/petition/