The popular New Brighton cinema, The Light, is set to reopen its doors before the end of May.

The Light Cinema has been closed since Christmas Eve, after uncertainty over COVID-19 rules meant its management felt they had no other choice.

At the time, the Local Democracy Reporting Service told how desperate many Wirral families were for the cinema to survive the pandemic.

Fans of the attraction, which opened in 2011, said they have loved visiting it over the years.

One, Collette Collinge, said: "The Light Cinema has been our 'go to' cinema since its opening.

"We love films and I especially enjoy the Live Westend productions on screen.

"The staff are truly brilliant, helpful, friendly and welcoming. I'm disabled and they can't do enough for me."

Some feared The Light would be turned off for good after the temporary closure which began last year, but Keith Pullinger, co-founder of The Light, which has 10 cinemas across the country, confirmed this would not be the case.

Speaking to the LDRS, Mr Pullinger said: "Yes it will be opening, but we haven't got a date as such yet.

"We are waiting for the government to confirm formally. We'll respond when we know that, but certainly the cinema will be reopening at some time in the near future."

Pushed on whether the cinema will open on May 17, the next stage of reopening in the government's roadmap, Mr Pullinger added: "We haven't agreed that yet, but we are getting ready to reopen.

"It's likely to be before the end of May.

"We are looking forward to coming back and we've got some good films coming through in the next few months. New Brighton is an important area for us.

"There is a pent up demand for people to go back to the cinema, they're fed up of watching films at home.

"We can't wait to reopen in New Brighton and serve the community."

When The Light Cinema reopens there will still be COVID-19 restrictions, such as social distancing and the rule of six for indoor gatherings, in place.

Asked how the cinema will operate within the rules, Mr Pullinger said: "We did open last year with social distancing in place and other measures.

"People will be expected to wear face coverings when they come back and we will enforce social distancing.

"We will make sure groups are separated within the seating plan. People are quite used to that now and we have had great feedback from customers who feel safe."

In the government's current roadmap, all restrictions on social gatherings are due to end on June 21.

Mr Pullinger said the cinema will wait until then to act, but any relaxation in the rules would give The Light the chance to offer customers a greater experience.