GUESTS enjoyed the red carpet treatment as they attended the “ movie premiere” of Tom Cruise’s new film.

The great and good of the town enjoyed a champagne reception to mark the official opening of The Light Cinema in The Market Place Shopping Centre before watching an exclusive screening of Never Go Back, the second Jack Reacher movie.

The opening of The Light Cinema yesterday marks the latest step forward in a £20 million project in the ongoing development of the Market Place Shopping Centre

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council, who was at the grand launch, said: "It’s fantastic to see a cinema open again in Bolton town centre.

"The feedback since it launched last week has been very positive and it is yet another superb attraction, in a flagship development, that will cater for the whole family. We still have work to do but it has been a year of transformation for the town.

"The £20 million redevelopment of the Market Place brings a whole new shopping and leisure experience in the town centre."

Guests at the glitzy event included Wendy Francis, from Smithills, who said: “I haven’t been before and it looks super. We are getting the red treatment and I hope it will regenerate the town with more people coming in.”

The screening was to coincide with the premiere of the film which was also beamed live on a big screen in the shopping centre.

A total of 550 people were watching the film. Damian Drabble, operations director, said: “We want to give people something special, we want to give them more than what they expect.

General manager at The Light, Jamie Atherton, added: "We're delighted to be open now. The cinema looks and feels better than I ever imagined it would. Our staff have taken to it brilliantly and we can't wait for a busy half term and Christmas."

Centre manager, Nikki Wilson-Cook, said: "The opening of The Light is the jewel in the centre’s crown and marks the end of a unique and exciting redevelopment project — so it is only fitting that we celebrate in style.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming both our special guests and the general public to enjoy all the new opportunities that Market Place has to offer."