Peacekeeping troops in Bosnia are flocking to the fully air-conditioned Screen Machine to catch the latest big movie releases, and to escape summer temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.

The UK's only mobile cinema is on a tour of duty in Bosnia after being hired by the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC), a charitable organisation who arrange entertainment for forces personnel stationed abroad. The SSVC hope this pilot tour could lead to the construction of their very own Screen Machine.

The 102-seater cinema, which is owned by HI-Arts the arts development agency for the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, arrived at Banja Luka two days ahead of schedule following a trouble-free 2000 mile journey across Europe. Drivers, Iain MacColl and Bill Stewart had to negotiate some precarious routes with rock overhangs, tunnels and steep mountain roads but this presented few challeneges for the pair who are used to travelling on single track roads throughout the Highlands and Islands.

In its first week, the forces' new recruit has been entertaining British and SFOR (stabilising force) troops based at Banja Luka with films such as Gladiator, Kevin and Perry Go Large, U571 and Maybe Baby. The Screen Machine is one of the few air-conditioned structures on the base which is making it an even more popular attraction.

Screen Machine driver Iain MacColl said: "Despite some difficult mountain roads and tunnels, the journey to Bosnia passed without incident. We arrived a couple of days early so we were able to put on a few extra screenings and some of the troops have been helping us set up and run the cinema."

Acting Screen Machine manager, Graham Campbell said: "It is great news to hear that the Screen Machine is proving very popular with the troops in Bosnia and that the first week of the tour has gone well.

"It was always the intention that the Screen Machine should be used as a model for the development of other mobile cinemas and so far the SSVC seem quite impressed with it".

The Screen Machine leaves Banja Luka today (Saturday 29th July) for Sarajevo, before going to Mrkonjic Grad, Sipovo and Sanski Most. The Screen Machine returns to Banja Luka on the 17th August for 4 days before making the 2000-mile journey back to Inverness where it is due to arrive at the end of August.