FIRST night never go according to plan, do they? But when you've waited so long for your own Cinema, you are prepared to put up with a few hitches...or, at least, I am.

We arrived at Premier Cinema's The Viaduct early for the 6pm showing of Signs, along with 30 or so others including numerous youngsters excitedly gabbling about their first choice -- Lilo and Stitch.

But both parties were disappointed as neither film had arrived in time and the only remaining option was Mr Deeds. Those with complimentary tickets were told they could either watch the alternative or return at a later date so they were sort of happy!

And, not to be deterred, we headed home then returned to the Hyndburn Road complex for the next showing at 8.30pm.

This time there were no problems in getting in. We paid the nice young man in the box office -- who apologised for the earlier mix up -- and went to choose our munchies.

Loaded up with popcorn and 7UP we headed into screen 1 to survey "Lancashire's Most Luxurious Cinema."

In this respect the Premiere Cinema lived up to its expectations. The seating was comfortable, plush and spacious -- even for my bloke, who always complains he never has enough room.

And in addition to the 870 armchair seating, all four screens have additional room for wheelchair users.

Great as the setting was though I didn't want to admire it throughout the film but due to a technical fault with the emergency lighting, which wouldn't go off, that is what happened.

After 50 minutes and two complaints we got fed up and left. Prior to last night the last film I saw at a cinema in Accrington was Back To The Future which shows just how long it has been since Accrington folk had their own cinema.

And as a local girl I know how welcome this new development is so I'll put last night down to first night teething problems.

But bosses at the £3.5 million The Viaduct Centre, which also includes a 20-lane Superbowl and a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant, need to get their act together if they are to attract and keep customers who have used an alternative for more than 10 years.