PARKWAY Cinema was the subject of a break-in this week - and its owner has praised the police for their swift response.

The cinema, on Eldon Street, was reportedly broken into by two people at around 2am on Wednesday morning.

A total of eight gin bottles were stolen and the doors were damaged - much to the annoyance of Rob Younger, its owner.

He told the Chronicle: “They tried prising the door open with what looks like a screwdriver.

“They failed with that and so they went for the glass panels and smashed them.

“The panels have been kicked through and they’ve left a trail of blood which CSI were happy to look at.

“I drove here at about 2.15am and the police got here straight away.

“They’ve stolen eight bottles of gin which cost about £130 to us and then they’ve done £300 worth of damage to the doors.”

Rob has praised the police for their response - but admits the damage is very costly to the cinema.

“It’s come just as we are starting to recover from a bad summer last year,” he added.

“But I can’t praise South Yorkshire Police enough.

“They’ve been really good.”

A spokesperson for the force added: “At 2.20am we responded to reports of a burglary at the Parkgate Cinema on Eldon Street, Barnsley.

“It is reported that two men forced entry into the premises and stole several bottles of alcohol before leaving the scene.

“Officers attended and have arrested two 46-year-old men on suspicion of burglary.”