A deaf film lover is urging cinemas in the Bradford area to buy the latest technology so the hard of hearing can enjoy the latest blockbuster.

Carol McEachran, a senior deaf instructor at Thorn Park School for Deaf Children, believes the lack of facilities for subtitled shows is depriving the deaf community.

She wants cinemas to install a cutting edge subtitling system to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act which states disabled people should be provided access to the "normals".

"There are around five digital subtitling units in and around London but none around the north of England," said 48-year-old Carol, who is pictured with a friend in front of the Odeon cinema complex in Bradford.

"We too would love to see the latest blockbusters like Spider-man or the latest Star Wars film but have to wait until the videos are out."

The new units use a special CD Rom player and a small projector so when the film is played, a timecode on the print triggers the CD Rom player into action.

She has also written to the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television to express her frustration.

"I do appreciate that there is a time scale for the services to the public to provide the access to all, but I and many others wish the cinemas would hurry up."

Bill Lawrence, head of film at the NMPFT, said the museum had a digital subtitling unit on its shopping list and was keen to secure one.

"We think that the new systems are excellent. However they cost between £9,000 and £13,000. We understand the ones in London are trial units," he said.

"We are looking to equip all our cinemas - IMAX, Pictureville and Cubby Broccoli - with these units as soon as possible."

And Ian McDonald, regional manager for Odeon, said: "The units are in the south of England because the manufacturer is there but if the trials prove successful, we are keen to get them everywhere including Bradford."

Stuart Dyke, technical manager for Cineworld, said he was attending a seminar on the new system tomorrow and a trial was taking place at the company's multiplex cinema in Wolverhampton.

"It seems to be working very well and we are looking at the possibility of putting it in our newer cinemas, maybe in Bradford, in the future but it is still at a development stage." Nafees Nazir, founder of the Association of Bradford Deaf Asians, said being able to see a film on its release would prevent deaf people from feeling excluded.

"It would make a real difference to some of our members who can keep up with subtitles as they can watch a movie and chill out with their friends," he said.