FESTIVE films are set to be beamed to an enormous inflatable screen when a company brings its Christmas drive-in cinema to Colchester.

The Winter Food and Film Wonderland is set to be hosted at the long-derelict former Sainsbury’s site in Tollgate, Stanway.

The central feature of the wonderland will be its huge inflatable screen, measuring 60ft high and 40ft wide, which will screen classic Christmas movies.

The screen has FM transmission installed, meaning viewers will be able to tune in on their car radios to hear the film.

Brian Graves, creative director at Nightflix, said: “It is an ideal location.

“It is situated off the A12 so accessible to other surrounding areas like Ipswich and Chelmsford.

“This will also make use of a derelict piece of land which has not been used for some time.

“We hope it will breathe some fresh life into the site.

“Most importantly this is about Colchester, it is for the community and to offer something for people to do outside of the town centre in the lead up to Christmas.”

The wonderland promises a wide selection of food vendors and market stalls pedalling “Christmas delights.”

Choirs of all ages from across Essex will be invited to take part in a competition and the organisers will stage their own reindeer hunt.

Mr Graves said: “People can enjoy some popcorn, sip on some mulled wine and buy some Christmas presents.

“Santa’s Post Office will be open to all who want to send off their Christmas wish list.”

“There will be a series of interactive events taking place daily to keep everyone entertained, as well as a few competitions with some great prizes.”

There will be two screenings per night, with an early film suitable for the whole family and a later film aimed at more mature audiences.

Tickets cost £25 for a standard car, with seats available at £7.50 per adult or £5 for children aged 14 and under.

Service personnel including the military, fire, police and NHS workers will be offered a 10 per cent discount.

The wonderland is set to open to the public from December 6 and will run until Christmas Eve.

Tickets will go on sale soon.

For more information visit nightflix.co.uk.