Hollywood Media's shares stop rolling

The axing of one of The Bill's two-hourly episodes last month and a wider cutting of film and TV production today forced Hollywood Media Services to call for a halt to trading in its shares on AIM.

They were suspended at 1.375p. The grandly named company, which actually supplies catering vans and make-up trailers to the industry, said it has suffered a major downturn in the last two months, with sales more than halved in June. It added: "The combination of short lead times for contracts in this industry and the uncertainties inherent in the general economic situation makes it difficult to forecast."

It pointed out that May was usually the start of the busy season for the film industry, which means the unexpected downturn has eaten into its working capital.

Staff and directors have volunteered to take pay cuts and the group is seeking new funding.