BRITAIN'S first "citiplex" cinema was due to be officially unveiled in Worcester today.

Actress Jenny Agutter had been asked to cut the ribbons at the £5m Friar Street complex by Warner Village Cinemas.

Guests at the opening ceremony were due to enjoy a buffet brunch and champagne reception, followed by a screening of the new film, Bedazzled, starring Liz Hurley.

"Creating the cinema in Friar Street was a delicate job," said Ralph Ludeman, the PR manager for Warner Village Cinemas.

"But the location means that people in the city won't need to travel to a faceless, out-of-town location to see the latest films."

He said Warner Village Cinemas believed cinemas could shrug off the challenge posed by new technology, such as DVD and digital television.

"When video came on the market there were people in the industry who became very defensive," said Mr Ludeman.

"But demand for cinemas boomed with the growth of the multiplexes and I'm confident the future for the Friar Street is very bright."

The cinema has been furnished with seats that cost £200 each and the latest digital surround-sound has been installed at the venue.

A "kids' club" has been established and the cinema chain says the response from youngsters has been "fantastic".

Ms Agutter, whose screen appearances include roles in The Railway Children and An American Werewolf in London, is to make a donation to NCH Action for Children following today's appearance.

She is the vice-president of the charity, which has a family centre in Worcester.

The charity's celebrity supporter manager, Richard White, said he was delighted NCH would benefit.

"I know that Jenny is a great supporter of the British film industry and is very excited to be present at the opening of the UK's first citiplex," said Mr White.

NCH Action for Children has a centre in Warndon and receives help from Worcestershire County Council as well as Worcester Housing and Relationship Committee.

The organisation assists children with communication difficulties in particular.