Wheelchair users are finally able to access a town's multi-million pound new cinema - almost two months after the site opened.

Guests using wheelchairs and pushchairs have been unable to comfortably access Ashford's Picturehouse as all six screens are located on the first floor of the building.

But the long-awaited process to install a lift in the cinema began last week and is now finally complete.

Watch this time lapse video of the cinema taking shape

On Saturday, disabled visitors were able to access the cinema in Elwick Place as Picturehouse confirmed the lift had been installed.

A spokeswoman said: "We are truly relieved to finally be able to welcome everyone to our cinema who may need to use the lift to enjoy our facilities.

"We have been sincerely disappointed in the time it has taken to install our lift and carry out the necessary safety tests which for reasons beyond our control left us without full accessibility until now.

"It was always treated as an urgent matter and measures are being put in place to ensure we don’t find ourselves in this situation again. We always schedule lift installation before our opening dates however in this isolated case, we were unable to meet this objective.

"Our customer service team have worked hard to communicate with anyone who has been unable to use our cinema due to the delay."

In 2012, Cineworld - which already has a cinema on the Eureka Leisure Park - snapped up the Picturehouse chain in a deal worth £47.3m.

Developed by Stanhope Plc, the leisure complex - which opened on Saturday, December 15 - is one of Ashford Borough Council's 'Big 8' projects to improve the town.

Space for eight new restaurants was included in the plans, but bosses have been unable to fill any of the units after facing a "challenging period".

Barriers have been put up outside the buildings in Elwick Place as work to replace the pavement is carried out.

The current pavement was used as a temporary fixture to ensure the opening of Elwick Place could go ahead last year.

A council spokesman said: "The surfacing finishes installed before Christmas were of a temporary nature following the completion of the UK Power Networks (UKPN) repair works in order to meet the timetable of the unveiling of the statue of Queen Marie and the official opening.

"The work will be completed by next week, weather permitting.

"There are further works planned to the resin bound gravel area, which was dug up during the UKPN works, to improve the finishes there."

Yesterday, KentOnline revealed the date for the IMAX cinema at Eureka Leisure Park has still not been set.