A CINEMA plan for Kidderminster will now include three screens, instead of four.

Plans for the cinema, at a former shoe warehouse in Green Street, have been re-designed and will not be considered by councillors in December, as had been expected.

Kidderminster solicitor, Simon Swaffield, who is investing his own money in the project, said he was looking for the plan to be heard by Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee in January.

The committee will be asked to approve or throw out the plan, which has brought new hope to movie lovers after years of wrangling to return a cinema to the town.

Mr Swaffield said: "Overall, it is a far better design. It is not radically different in structural terms. At the end of the day, you have a finite space."

He went on: "The internal layout is much different and a far more sensible use of space."

The prospect of bringing a cinema back to Kidderminster is again a major topic.

The Conservative administration at the district council has also pledged to return a cinema to the town.

Cabinet member, James Dudley, said talks were continuing with two cinema operators.

He said of Mr Swaffield's plan: "It is getting close to what we want. Three screens is too small so, obviously, the closer he gets to six the better."