IPSWICH Cineworld’s new �750,000 IMAX screen has been officially launched with the Suffolk premiere of the new Bond film Skyfall.

The new screen is much larger than normal, and absorbs the audience into the action – it is one of eight such screens that Cineworld is introducing across the country.

Cineworld vice-president Crispin Lilly visited Ipswich to launch the IMAX screen at the gala showing of Skyfall yesterday – and is looking forward to it giving films in the town a real boost.

The screen is much larger than in a normal cinema – and aims to immerse the audience in the action.

Mr Lilly said: “This is a substantial investment in the Ipswich Cineworld, which is one of our best performing sites, it out-performs many other places.

“There is a great appetite for film here and we are looking forward to seeing that grow with this new screen being introduced.”

The screen will allow films like Skyfall and the forthcoming latest instalment of the Twilight saga to be seen in a new way.

Some are technically enhanced while others are specially shot for IMAX.

A number of recent releases are expected to return to Cineworld in early 2013 so they can be seen on the IMAX screen.

Mr Lilly said the decision to install the IMAX had been taken because there was the demand for cinema in Ipswich – it had nothing to do with Vue’s plans to develop a rival cinema in the Buttermarket centre.

He added: “Whatever happens, we are confident this will remain the main cinema in Ipswich – the audiences are continuing to grow.”

The premiere showed off the 007 glitz – with tuxedos and smart dresses on view inside and Aston Martins parked in front of the cinema.

Bookings are already filling up for the IMAX screen – the film goes on general release on Friday.