BUILDERS working on Accrington's long-awaited leisure complex today denied rumours they had set the roof too low and couldn't fit the cinema screens in.

Barnfield Construction, which is working on the new four-screen cinema in Moreton Street also quashed rumours that building work had run into trouble at the site.

But Hyndburn Council Labour leader Ian Ormerod told a meeting of the Accrington town centre regeneration board: "I understand the cinema has run into a major stumbling block but as I'm aware the press are here, I won't go into into it any further."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "I believe there was some problem on site, but everything is on course."

The four-screen cinema is due to open in early July.

A spokesman for Barnfield denied there had been structural setbacks and said there was no truth in rumours that the roof had been set too low so that the cinema screens would not fit.

He said: "There have been no problems. We had a meeting on site with the operators last Wednesday and will be having another shortly. Everything is fine."

The 800-seat cinema is set to be fitted out early next month.

It will be known as the Accrington Metro and will be operated by Metroplex of London.

A regional advertising campaign will swing into action in advance of a glittering official opening ceremony.

The last cinema in the town closed in the 1980s to make way for the Arndale shopping centre. But, after a petition by 14-year-old Emma Allerdyce three years ago, council bosses and business leaders agreed that a new cinema could survive. Work started on the site off Moreton Street last June.

Meanwhile, the adjoining 20-lane bowling alley is also on course for a July opening. It will be run by North West-based firm Osprey, which operates similar sites in Morecambe and Barrow-in-Furness. A new McDonald's fast food restaurant and drive-thru will complete the complex.