The operator of Didcot's cinema has been named.

Cine-UK, which trades as Cineworld, already has more than 30 cinemas with 360 screens across the country.

Cineworld said it would screen a wide range of films at Didcot, including the latest blockbusters and classic and art films.

There will be more than 900 seats spread across five different sized auditoriums, seating between 120 and 260 people.

All the screens will be at ground-floor level, with a central projection suite on the first floor.

A planning application has been submitted for the cinema which is costing South Oxfordshire District Council more than £5m to build.

The cinema will be part of the new Orchard Centre. Construction work is expected to start in the late summer with the cinema opening in 2005.

The company has a reputation for its high quality picture and sound presentation, and key features of the five-screen Didcot cinema will include new-style luxury seating and a state-of-the-art sound system.

John Flood, district council cabinet member for Didcot town centre, said: "The council worked hard to attract a major cinema operator to Didcot and we have succeeded."