A CARLISLE cinema has delighted Star Wars fans after revealing it will hold five midnight screenings to mark the release of the upcoming blockbuster.

The sci-fi franchise's concluding chapter, titled Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, will be released nationwide on Thursday, December 19.

It is the third in a sequel trilogy of films, following The Force Awakens in 2015 and The Last Jedi in 2017, and will be the final episode in the nine-part 'Skywalker saga', which began in 1977.

While details of the production are firmly under wraps, bosses at Vue on Botchergate in Carlisle have released tickets early for Cumbrian movie-lovers, and are anticipating high demand.

For those not wishing to stay up late, fans have plenty more opportunities to watch the film straight away and avoid spoilers, with a further 20 showings between 10am and 11pm on its first day of release.

To book a ticket, visit myvue.com