BOLTON cinemas are set for a bumper Christmas as this year’s family films hit the big screen.

Bosses at Cineworld, The Valley, are gearing up for one of their most popular days of the year — Christmas Eve — and are advising film fans to book ahead.

Manager Stephen Halvorsen said: “There's loads going on over Christmas.

“We have Walking With Dinosaurs opening today in 2D and 3D.

“Based on the BBC TV series, this big screen adventure will be perfect for all the family.

“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is now on release and I expect this will continue to do really well over the holidays.

“The big animated film this Christmas is Disney's Frozen which has been on release for two weeks already but is proving so popular that we're adding extra shows for the Christmas break.

“Christmas Eve is always one of our most popular days of the year so booking ahead is advised. Frozen will be one of the biggest films on Christmas Eve so we've added more seats to our 2.10pm screening to ensure we don't sell out.”

Shot in Alaska, Walking With Dinosaurs — The 3D Movie employs dazzling visuals to explore a familiar story of triumph against adversity in the Late Cretaceous period.

Disney’s animated adventure Frozen sees fearless optimist Anna set off on an epic journey.

The feisty heroine teams up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and reindeer Sven to find her sister Elsa, whose powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter.

The second instalment of Peter Jackson's sweeping Tolkien trilogy sees plucky hobbit Bilbo Baggins, wise wizard Gandalf and the company of dwarves led by Thorin Oakenshield running for their lives.

For older cinemagoers, Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues was released on Wednesday.

Will Ferrell's buffoonish alter-ego, who first kicked up his flares in the media satire Anchorman — The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, staggers bleary-eyed into the 1980s in Adam McKay's sequel.

Visit cineworld.co.uk for screening details and to book.