Gravesend's Paul Greengrass cinema offers free tickets

The cinema is named after Paul Greengrass, who grew up locally and agreed it could take his name

Tickets for screenings at a new cinema in Kent are to be free throughout the month of January.

The Paul Greengrass Cinema at the Woodville Halls in Gravesend marks the return of cinema to the town seven years after the last one burned down.

The council-run venue honours the Hollywood director of The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum and Bloody Sunday, who grew up locally.

Screenings begin on Tuesday with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

'Seasonal pressure'

Films will be shown every week on Tuesdays, Saturday mornings, and Sundays.

Gravesham Borough Council leader John Burden said the free screenings were aimed at helping families "to get over the post-Christmas cash crisis".

He said state-of-the art equipment would show Blu-ray quality pictures on a brand new screen.

"By opening our doors to all filmgoers for nothing we hope to encourage people to come and see for themselves what has been achieved," Mr Burden said.