STAR Wars fans were among 1,200 people evacuated from the Odeon Cinema complex at Tunbridge Wells last night when fire broke out in a ground-floor room used to store popcorn and confectionery.

Four fire appliances from Tunbridge Wells, Rusthall and Southborough responded to a fire alarm just before 8pm, and crews arrived to find cinemagoers and staff already clear of the building.

Sub Officer John Wheeler, from Tunbridge Wells fire station, said: "It was quite a severe fire in a 10 metre by three metre store room, generating lots of heat and thick black smoke. Six firefighters went in with breathing apparatus and it took about 90 minutes before the fire was completely out.

"Fire damage was confined to the store room, but there was some smoke and water damage to the foyer. Fumes were cleared using the cinema's own on-site extraction system. The staff did an excellent job in getting everybody out, quickly and without panic."