Cinema bosses say they are confident they will build a new multiplex in Blackburn town centre, despite being told the site they want is not up for sale.

Preston-based Apollo Cinemas wanted to build their £10million, seven-screen cinema on land owned by Blackburn with Darwen Council at the junction of Salford and Penny Street.

The land had been bought by the council for a retail development, and despite the first project there falling through, the council still wants it to be used for shops.

Apollo won planning permission for its development earlier this year, even thought it did not own the land. The council has since turned down a formal offer to sell the site to Apollo, which runs the four-screen cinema in King William Street.

But Apollo still believe they can find a site for development and be open before the new cinema proposed at the £30million leisure complex due to be constructed next to Blackburn Railway Station.

Steve Lavelle, Apollo's property director, said: "We have met officials from Blackburn with Darwen Council and it was very encouraging.

"We discussed their masterplan for the redevelopment of Blackburn town centre and it is extremely exciting.

"Apollo remain committed to building and delivering one of the most modern and best-equipped cinemas in the UK, which will replaced our existing cinema at King William Street.

"We have been part of the Blackburn community since 1988 and we have the best interests of our audience in mind. We know Blackburn deserves a new cinema and we can open late spring 2005, well ahead of the competition."

No details of other potential sites have been released, although it would have to be large to accommodate the seven screens, car parking and disabled access.

Mr Lavelle said the cinema would have 1,000 seats and giant floor-to-wall screens with Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration Coun Andy Kay has said that he feels one multiplex is enough for Blackburn town centre, and has accused Apollo of knowing the council would not sell the Penny Street site even before they applied for planning permission.