An eight-screen cinema will open ready for the latest blockbuster Lord Of The Rings, set to be the Christmas hit movie.

After a £2 million refit and three months of refurbishment, the revamped Odeon centre in West Street, Brighton, will open its doors on Friday.

The new screens are designed to give cinemagoers a wider choice.

The Odeon has been a six-screen cinema centre for many years.

The increase to eight has been achieved by splitting what was formerly the largest cinema in the complex, screen two.

Screen two used to show the most popular films but they will now be shown on two or three screens within the complex.

The refurbishment has meant a reduction in the number of seats in the Odeon by about 30 but the management says this will be more than compensated by a broader choice of films.

The work during the last few months has been carried out without closing the Odeon complex at the bottom of West Street.

The smaller cinemas will have new comfortable seating, digital surround sound and improved disabled access.

The renovation has been timed to be completed for the release of Lord Of The Rings, based on the first instalment of JRR Tolkien's book, Fellowship Of The Ring, which premiered in London on Monday.

It will be shown on three of the screens at the cinema, starting on December 19.