BASILDON is set to get a state-of-the-art IMAX screen.

Empire has announced plans to add three IMAX screens to its cinema's across Britain- including one at the Festival Leisure Park.

It comes a year after the chain opened its first IMAX screen at the historial Leicester Square Cinema.

Justin Ribbons, CEO of Empire, said: "“IMAX transformed our flagship Empire Leicester Square Cinema for a new generation of moviegoers with an immersive experience that we’re pleased to bring to our audience in Basildon.

"As we expand our circuit, we’re continuously investing in our theatres to make sure all aspects of our experience are truly compelling. IMAX is a part of this strategy - offering us a long-term competitive advantage that will help differentiate our sites from other multiplexes.”

New curved screens, which display high-resolution films in 3D, will also open in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and Great Park, Birmingham.

Andrew Cripps, president of IMAX in Europe, added: “In a mature market such as the UK, it is vital to go into the best available locations.

“Empire Cinemas is not only a world-class exhibitor, they also have some of the most prominent sites such as the Empire Cinema in Basildon, its second flagship location and one of three included in today’s agreement.

"In less than a year since its opening, the IMAX Leicester Square ranked as the world’s highest-grossing IMAX site for the 2014 blockbuster thriller Lucy. We’re delighted to build on this success with three new sites and capitalize on the growing consumer demand for IMAX in the region."

The new screens are all set to debut later in 2015.