EXTENSIVE refurbishment of what was once Britain's cheapest cinema starts today.

The ABC cinema in Northgate, Darlington is being turned into an Odeon, following the merger of the two companies a year ago.

The company will spend £117,500 on the refurbishment, which will include improvements to the outside, the foyer and Screen One.

Manager Nici Waller said: "It is really exciting for us and a fantastic opportunity. The people of Darlington deserve a top-class cinema."

For the first time, the cinema will offer disabled lavatory facilities, as well as new seats in the largest screen theatre.

There will also be new carpets and decorations throughout the building.

Miss Waller said: "Upstairs, in our biggest screen, we will be replacing the seats to make them more comfortable and give people more room.

"This will mean we will lose about 60 seats, but there will still be room for 500 people and things won't be so tight for them in the future."

The new-look main screen should be finished in time for this year's big cinema release, Harry Potter, which is due for first screening early next month.

Miss Waller said: "Because Harry Potter is such a big event and we will be really busy, we wanted to show people our new look.

"The whole project will take four to five weeks to complete, but those coming to see Harry Potter will definitely get the early benefits."

Until recently, the ABC in Darlington was known as the cheapest cinema in the country because of its £2 Monday night ticket prices.

Although that offer is no longer operating, there are a number of initiatives being offered at the cinema, including the hugely popular Silver Screen Club, which arranges special showings for pensioners at a reduced rate.

There has been a cinema in Northgate for more than 100 years, and despite rumours of a multiplex being built in the town, the ABC is still Darlington's only cinema