NEW James Bond blockbuster Spectre will hit the big screen at Whitehaven's Gaiety cinema - the night of its world premiere in London.

Spectre , starring Daniel Craig as 007, is the first new film to be shown at the reopened venue on Monday, October 26. 

And readers of The Whitehaven News have the chance to select the film that will officially reopen the Gaiety on Friday, October 23 - and win 20 free tickets for their friends and family.

Charlotte Kennedy, marketing manager at the cinema's owners Graves (Cumberland) Ltd, said: "We'd like to show a classic film on opening night – something that everyone will want to see at the cinema again. 

"It can be from any decade, something cinema-goers remember watching at the Gaiety - or wished they’d had the chance to see at the Gaiety."

The reopening night kicks off a weekend of much-loved films that is set to include The Wizard of Oz , Ghostbusters and The Shining (Saturday, October 24) and The Lion King , Grease Sing-a-Long and Pulp Fiction (Sunday, October 25), and Spectre begins its run the following night.

The Gaiety closed after 81 years in 2003 due to depleting audiences. Its last film was Pirates of the Caribbean and its closure left Whitehaven without a dedicated cinema. It is currently being revamped with state-of-the-art picture and sound and improved seating.

Charlotte added: “We believe that with continued public support, we can provide a first-class cinema experience.” 

To enter the competition, email a film suggestion (avoiding any of those already earmarked for October 24/25) to charlotte@gcl-leisure.com before 5pm on Thursday, October 8.

Ticket details for the reopening weekend and Spectre will be announced soon. Visit the Gaiety's Facebook page for further information.