A HISTORIC organ will provide the accompaniment to a classic silent movie for the first time in its long history.

Colchester Town Hall is hosting a special screening of the 1925 version of Phantom of the Opera in the venue's Moot Hall.

To make the screening extra special, internationally renowned organist Richard Hills will be performing the music to the Lon Chaney film on the Moot Hall Organ.

The instrument, which has stood in Colchester Town Hall since the civic structure was built in 1902, was lovingly restored thanks to a £416,000 Heritage Lottery Grant and since its restoration has been used for monthly recitals.

But the instrument has never been played in accompaniment to a movie, despite its obvious suitability for certain soundtracks.

Councillor Nigel Chapman (Con, Rural North) is chairman of the Friends of the Moot Hall Organ, which has organised the event.

He said the group hopes the organ can be used for similar events going forward in the hopes its iconic sound will be heard by more members of the public.

Mr Chapman said: "Richard Hills is an internationally renowned organist who bridges the divide between the world of classic organ and the theatre organ.

"Earlier this year he played the organ in the Warner Bros Studio Theatre in Los Angeles."

He added: "It a unique event as the organ has never accompanied a film in its 117-year history."

Tickets for the show on Thursday, November 7, cost £15 each plus a booking fee. They can be purchased at eventbrite.co.uk.

A licensed bar will be available during the showing, which begins at 7.30pm.

For more information, email nigelchapmanwine@btinternet.com.