FILM-lovers can rejoice after a cinema boss announced plans to reopen.

An iconic Lake District character and Oscar-nominated masterpieces will greet film-goers when The Roxy cinema in Ulverston reopens on May 17.

The independent cinema will reopen alongside The Royalty in Bowness, with lockdown restrictions due to be relaxed.

In the first few days both cinemas will be showing Peter Rabbit 2 and the Oscar-winning Nomadland.

The Royalty is holding a special Peter Rabbit Party on May 22 at 2pm, where Peter Rabbit himself will be present and there will be games, party bags and prizes.

“We look forward to welcoming our patrons back again,” said Charles Morris, managing director of Northern Morris Associated Cinemas.

“It’s been a long, frustrating time for everyone but recently we’ve been busy behind the scenes getting everything ready for reopening.

"We’ve had all the upholstery thoroughly cleaned and all the measures are in place for ensuring everyone’s safety.

"The Royalty is going to be spruced up and arrangements are in hand for the Wurlitzer organ to be played at some of the evening shows.”

Other films lined up for the coming weeks include The Sound of Metal which stars Riz Ahmed as a heavy-metal drummer whose life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing.

For horror fans there is The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, Spiral: From The Book of Saw and A Quiet Place II.

Disney’s Cruella, arrives for half-term and in June another Oscar winner The Father, with Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman, will reach the screens to be followed by Supernova, and then the sci-fi adventure Black Widow.

“We've been waiting a long time but we really have got a strong line-up of films now that we are finally allowed to reopen," Mr Morris said.

"And the cinema really is the only place to see a film."