BRIGHTON designers today turned the tables on the film world by predicting what cinemas would look like in the 21st century.

Film-goers could be able to watch the latest flick on the Underground, in shopping centres or even while swimming.

Odeon Cinemas challenged interior design and architecture students from Brighton and Kingston universities to "re-think" the designs of cinemas for the future.

They came back with revolutionary ideas about utilising time and space.

The winning vision was designed by undergraduate Rob Hopper, of Brighton University. His entry turned the conventional design for cinema seating on its head - almost

literally.

He says film-goers in the future could watch movies lying on their fronts, sitting in air chairs and even reclining in buoyant warm water.

Big Screen's Anna Richardson said: "It's a fantastic concept. We spend 90 per cent of our time on our bums in the cinema, so what better idea than to make that time more comfortable?"

Second prize was awarded to a group of students from Kingston University for their concept of a cinema which is half amphitheatre, half sushi bar, with peep holes for people to view short films from

outside on the street to

get a "quick fix" of the

movies as they pass by.

A special award for innovation was given to Richard Saunders, of Brighton University for his vision of cinema on the London Underground.

Richard Segal, managing director of Odeon, who was one of the judges, said: "It's been fascinating to see how young designers of today envisage the cinemas of tomorrow.

"We will be looking at all the entries to see how we might be able to take them forward or integrate elements of the

students' proposals."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.