BOLTON is to have TWO huge multi-screen cinema complexes.

The race to provide multi-million pound entertainment complexes took a dramatic turn today.

First leisure firm THI announced that it had signed up an operator for a cinema at the Watersmeeting family leisure park in the Tonge Valley.

Then Orbit, the developers carrying out the Bolton Wanderers sports village scheme at Horwich revealed it had completed a deal with film giant Warner Bros for a 12-screen cinema.

Both developers are saying that their cinemas will be open next year.

The two leisure complexes are expected to bring more than 4,000 new jobs to Bolton.

And there is a possibility of a THIRD cinema - the Raven Group has been given the go ahead for a development at Bolton Greyhound stadium.

Chester-based THI are not naming their cinema operator in the Tonge Valley until next week.

The cinema is part of a £25 million entertainments complex which will create 1,000 jobs.

Managing director Mr John Henley said the other schemes "do cause us concern, but we are confident with the backing of the council we can all win."

Mr Darren Jones, Orbit divisional director, said that it was "very much go" for the Horwich scheme.

He said that work can start on the cinemas, even though planning approval is not through for the whole of the sports village: "We do have planning permission for the leisure side of the development."

The sports village, which includes Bolton Wanderers new stadium, is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs.

There will also be business, industrial and retail uses.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.