A COUNCIL leader has expressed concern that Accrington's long-awaited cinema could become the "biggest white elephant in history" amid fears about when it will be opened.

But operators Metroplex today assured people that funding to pay for the completion of the project was in place, and denied the opening had been delayed.

The cinema will not begin screening films until August even though the adjoining Superbowl, which will be run by a different company, will open as planned at the beginning of July.

Council leader Councillor Ian Ormerod said today he feared the council could be left with the "biggest white elephant in history" because cinema operators Metroplex were still finalising contracts for the project.

Orders for seating, sound and projection equipment had not been made, he added.

But Andy Grays, operations manager for Metroplex, said there had never been a problem with funding and the opening date had never been set.

"The company has just attracted new investment partners and and there's a certain amount of restructuring going on to accommodate them," he said today.

"We have got to get shareholders' agreement and share issues, that's going to happen in the next week and the orders will go ahead as soon as that's signed -- that's rock solid.

"As far as I'm concerned there's no real delay with the opening. Contractually we have not set a date and wouldn't until we got within four or five weeks of opening."

But Coun Ormerod said he was still not convinced.

"The last thing we want is to have that building not being put to any use because council taxpayers' money has gone into it," he said.

"We have been greatly concerned and until I see from Metroplex that they have placed the orders there's still a question mark.

"Let's hope that what they say is correct not just for them but especially for the youngsters of Hyndburn who are looking forward to the cinema."

The council has previously said the four-screen complex was scheduled to open in early July along with the adjoining 20-lane Super Bowl as part of a £3.5million scheme.

But it is now expected to open towards the end of August although the Super Bowl will open on Thursday, July 4 as planned.