Dancing in the aisles will be encouraged when Girls Aloud come to Thanet on Saturday - albeit on the big screen rather than the stage.

The London leg of the band’s Tangled Up tour is to be beamed directly from the O2 Arena to Vue cinemas across the UK, including the new multiplex at Westwood Cross.

The girls’ gig this Saturday (May 17) will be shown at 8.45pm in High Definition and feature 5:1 Dolby Surround Sound, with fans promised a “thrilling atmosphere” and an “unforgettable night”.

James Dobbin, head of sales at Vue Entertainment, said: “This is never going to replace live, but it’s a very different live experience. As it’s happening at the O2 it’s being shown at the cinema, so the audience get an uninterrupted, amazing view of the show.

“When you go to a cinema you’re used to sitting down and having popcorn and a drink but these screenings are very different. Everyone gets up and dances in front of the screen and there’s a real party atmosphere.”

Girls Aloud’s 24 date tour follows a hugely successful five years for the group.

They have released four albums and a greatest hits CD, and have also entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the girl group with the most consecutive top 10 singles.

Kimberley Walsh from the band said: “This is our fourth tour and by showing it at the cinema, we’re making it bigger and better than anything that’s come before.

“We really love and appreciate our fans and it’s really exciting for the girls and I to be on big screens right across the country.”

Tickets for the Girls Aloud show can be purchased from the Vue cinema at Westwood Cross, by calling 08712 240 240 or by visiting www.myvue.com.