CHAMPAGNE corks will be popping in St Annes tonight (July 4) with the gala opening of the town's new cinema. The long-awaited attraction at the Pleasure Island complex opens with an invitation-only premiere of US blockbuster Mission Impossible starring Tom Cruise.

A host of civic dignitaries will join Fylde Mayor Alfred Jealous for the opening ceremony, proceeds of which will go to Trinity Hospice children's unit.

Joining in tonight's celebrations will be local George Formby impersonator Alan Randall, whose memorabilia collection is currently on display at Pleasure Island.

The cinema launch coincides with the revamped Fylde Coast Film Festival which opened yesterday with the premiere of Seaview Knights, filmed on the Fylde.

Films to come include Peter Chelsom's Funny Bones, 6.15pm on Saturday (July 6), and Hear My Song, Sunday (July 7) at 6.15pm.

The cinema itself boats a hospitality room, two projection rooms and licensed bars with a midnight licence.

In addition, the foyer has been decorated with scenes from blockbuster movies and has preview screens showing trailers of new films.

A cinema spokesperson commented: "It will be a major boost for the area, not only for locals but for tourists visiting the Fylde Coast.

"One screen will be showing all the latest blockbuster films from Europe and America, while the other screens will be featuring golden oldies such as Gone With The Wind.

"In addition, the cinema will also be showing programmes specially made for children."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.