New city multiplex is premiered

The eight-screen cinema cost £2.5m to build

The latest project to be completed as part of Stirling Council's £110m Forthside development is set to open its doors.

The eight-screen Vue multiplex cinema will open with a gala screening of The Water Horse on Friday evening.

City planners hope the £2.5m cinema will prove a draw to the 40-acre waterside development, which sits adjacent to the city's train station.

A four-star hotel and commercial area is also planned for the site.

Work on a £6m landmark bridge linking Stirling city centre with the development is expected to be completed by the summer.

'Good news'

Colin O'Brien, Stirling Council's executive member for economic development, said: "I welcome the particular contribution the new cinema will make to enhancing the evening economy and bringing more life to the city centre.

"The economic benefits to existing businesses and those new businesses coming on at Forthside will be significant. Any new jobs directly from the cinema and supporting business is good news."

The completed development on former Ministry of Defence land will include more than 200 homes, new offices and restaurants.