The magic of the movies is bringing smiles to seriously ill children – with the opening of a brand new accessible cinema at Derian House Children's Hospice.

Now children and young people confined to wheelchairs, or even hospital beds, will be able to enjoy the full cinematic experience alongside their family and friends, without leaving the building.

The ribbon was cut to officially open the new cinema today (Thursday, 29 August), by Wigan actor Ben Batt – who appeared in Channel 4 comedy drama Shameless and Marvel blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger.

Friends Francesca, 15 and Amelie, 14, who both come to Derian House for respite, were the first to experience it, with a screening of The Greatest Showman.

Amelie’s dad Darren said: “Having a facility like this is going to make a family trip to the cinema something we can now do.

"Being in busy crowded places can cause Amelie to have a meltdown so going to the cinema isn’t something she would cope with.

"Knowing that this is in environment where Amelie is happy will be a big benefit for us.”

The £100,000 cinema has been donated to the hospice by charity Together for Cinema, which brings cinema to children with life-limiting conditions.

Founder Ian Morrish said: “This was a hugely ambitious project that has been achieved with the help and generosity of many within the audio visual industry. We hope that the children, their families and of course the staff enjoy the new facility for many years to come.”

The state-of-the-art cinema is part of the hospice’s £1.2 million “Fit for the Future” refurbishment to ensure the building is suitable for the ever-changing needs of the children and young people who use Derian House now and in the future.

The 120-inch screen will give families a fully-immersive experience, with hotdogs, popcorn and candy floss being served to make their trip as authentic as possible.