CELEBRITIES and residents have just a few days left to raise their objections about an evangelical church in Crystal Palace.

Picture Palace campaigners want to see the former Gala Bingo hall in Church Road turned back into an independent cinema.

But the building – which first opened as the Rialto cinema in 1928 – was purchased by Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC) in May after the church outbid independent cinema chain City Screen.

Thousands have since signed a petition backing a cinema, saying the area already has eight churches, and the building should maintain its community use.

Objections to KICC’s proposal to change the building’s use from leisure to a church include the loss of a community resource, and insufficient parking for an estimated congregation of at least 500 people.

Pop princess Pixie Lott and a cult Hollywood director have added celebrity sparkle to the campaign.

Former Chislehurst schoolgirl Pixie – whose first two singles went straight into the charts at number one – was snapped wearing a campaign t-shirt backstage at the V-Festival in August.

And Spike Jonze, director of cult classic flick Being John Malkovitch, was photographed wearing the Picture Palace t-shirt while visiting London recently.

Former Academy Award nominee Mr Jonze even had a word to say in support of the campaign.

He said: “Give Crystal Palace a cinema or we'll all end up watching movies in the mall.

“What a bummer."

Getting celebrity backing is the latest phase of the campaign for the premises which is considered by many to be the key building in regenerating the Crystal Palace Triangle.

Campaigners hope if the organisation fails in its bid, the building will be sold to a cinema chain.

Objectors to the church have to send their objections to Bromley Council by Thursday (October 1).

For more information about the campaign visit picture-palace.org and go to bromley.gov.uk to look at the planning application.