A FORMER Majestic cinema is starting to look exactly that again after months of refurbishment have revealed its stunning art-deco facade.

The 1930s building, in Darlington, has been shrouded in cladding and metal girders since becoming an Odeon cinema in the 1940s and a snooker club in the 80s.

It was recently bought by North-East property developer Devlin Hunter and work started in January to restore the building to some of its former glory.

Residents will be delighted to see the back of the ugly metal girders that obscured much of the building’s original facade which still boasts art deco features and stained glass windows.

The building is being converted into a children’s soft play venue called Bing Bong Soft Play and is expected to be operational by the end of the summer.

Future plans include transforming the upper floors into a theatre and restaurant by 2015.