WORK on Blackburn’s new town centre cinema is moving closer to completion.

Construction of the new Reel Cinema on the site of the old Waves Water Fun Centre in Nab Lane began in August last year.

The shell of the building is now complete.

Development of the site into the new cinema complete with undercroft parking and two leisure units likely to be a coffee shop and bar/restaurant is expected to be completed by November.

The building will then be handed over to Reel to fit out the new cinema with a planned opening date of Easter 2020.

Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for regeneration, Cllr Phil Riley, said: "Completion is on schedule for November.

"We have been helped by the mild winter and work is still on target.

"It's a hugely prominent site and it will fit in with all the other developments anyone can see going on around Blakey Moor as well as the heritage work which has just produced a lovely building at the old Baroque pub."

The £6.5million scheme is for a single storey eight-screen cinema incorporating a bar and food and drink units.

It will be complimented by a further £3.5million underground car park and a public realm outdoor space, better linking the Northgate/King George’s Hall/Blackburn College area of town.