• RECENTLY, at the Finchley Road O2 Vue cinema, the automated screening system left the house cleaning lights full on throughout the adverts, trailers and into the main feature.

The bright lighting completely washed out the screen, and only went off because I eventually left the cinema and found a member of staff who then had to find a master key to override the system and finally douse the house lights.

Without audience intervention Vue would have left the lights on all through the whole movie. There was no apology and Vue says it sees no need for any goodwill compensation.

Confirms Clarence of Vue customer service: “After tickets are collected they are no longer eligible for a refund or compensation by Vue customer service.” (And, by the way, for many people the sound at the O2 Vue is always uncomfortably loud.)

No wonder more and more people stay at home and stream a month of movies for less than the price of a single ticket to the O2 Vue.

BARRY FOX, NW3