Cineworld has confirmed when its new 4DX and IMAX screens will open in Ashford as the finishing touches are put to a long-awaited refurbishment.

Bosses at the cinema in Eureka Leisure Park say the new 4DX screen will open on Friday and the IMAX will follow two weeks later on Friday, April 1.

Work on the extension housing the screens began in March 2020, five years after the plans were approved, but Covid lockdowns delayed the construction.

Now, tickets for 4DX are available and film fans can book to see The Batman, Uncharted and Jujutsu Kaisen.

Tickets are also on sale for Morbius and Sonic The Hedgehog 2 which are out soon.

IMAX tickets for Morbuis will be going on sale next week.

This is the first 4DX screen in Kent and gives customers the opportunity to see the latest movies with high-tech motion seats engineered to work with the action on screen.

It means the audience will be surrounded by special effects such as wind, fog, lightning, snow, bubbles, water, and scents.

Available in both 2D and 3D formats, 4DX is described as one of the biggest innovations in cinematic technology.

The IMAX auditorium has a 4K laser projection system to deliver increased resolution with sharper, and brighter images.

It also has 12-channel sound technology for the ultimate in audio immersion.

On Friday, March 4, a new ScreenX auditorium opened in the original part of the cinema with a midnight screening of The Batman.

The wraparound screen expands the traditional cinema screen to the side walls of the auditorium, creating a 270-degree viewing experience for the audience.

Gary Cork, general manager of Cineworld Ashford, said: “Guests have already been enjoying the refurbished Cineworld and the new ScreenX screen, so we can’t wait for them to come and try 4DX and IMAX, which are some of the best ways to watch a film and we are delighted to be able to offer them to the people of Ashford.”

All of the screens in the original part of the cinema have also been upgraded with new seating.

Refurbishment of the foyer was completed last autumn in time for the James Bond film No Time To Die and saw the removal of a huge mirrored ceiling.

The Starbucks outlet has been installed where the former box office once stood.