TOWN Hall bosses have turned down a request to allow under-12s to see the blockbuster movie "Spider-Man".

Councillors went to see the film after requests from the public to reduce its classification from a 12 to a PG.

But the licensing panel was unanimous in deciding to leave the rating as it was.

Tory councillor Yvonne Creswell said: "The special effects are very good, but they are very much in your face, and almost make you jump out of your skin at times.

"I don't think it would make children be violent, if anything the reverse: they would want to be the goodie. But it's the scariness of some incidents when you're not expecting them that might frighten very young children. I honestly don't think it's for under-12s."

Her views were shared by Labour councillor Trevor Holt, who also saw the film at Warner Village Cinemas in Pilsworth.

"I thought it was a very good and entertaining film, but I think the classification board got it right," he said.

"Most of us have children and grandchildren, so I hope people don't think we're fuddy-duddys.

"There's just the odd element of violence, it's not sustained, but those moments come at you very suddenly and do shock you. It all adds to the scary nature of the film, and I'm not sure we would have been happy for under 12s to see it."

Parents who want to take children under 12 to see the film will have to travel to Salford or Ashton, councils which have used their powers to relax the rules.