RED-FACED cinema bosses were forced to cancel a special film preview at Dorchester’s new Odeon cinema last night because the building was not ready.

The cinema in Brewery Square was due to open its doors for an exclusive preview screening of The Sapphires.

The Dorset Echo carried a reader offer in yesterday’s edition offering free tickets, and the offer had to be cancelled due to Odeon’s last-minute announcement.

The cinema is on track to open to the general public tomorrow and a charity screening of the new James Bond film Skyfall, which is sold out, will go ahead as planned tonight, an Odeon Cinemas spokesman said.

The spokesman said: “Unfortunately Odeon Dorchester was unable to open for last night’s promotional screening of The Sapphires. We would like to apologise for any inconvenience and assure guests that the cinema will be opening on Friday as planned and a preview screening of The Sapphires will be rescheduled as soon as possible.”