Cinemas across Essex are ready to deal with the rush for tickets for the opening night of the new Star Wars film.

Fired-up fans today begin the final countdown to the moment they can secure all important tickets to early screenings of the prequel when they go on sale just after midnight.

When it opened in the US last month, the film smashed box office records for takings in the first few days. It is expected to become the biggest selling movie of all time.

The special effects-laden film, starring Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson, looks at the early years of characters who went on to become household names in the Star Wars trilogy.

Box offices in Southend and Basildon will open at the stroke of midnight to meet demand for advance sales of Episode One - The Phantom Menace.

However, smaller cinemas are taking a more relaxed approach with tickets going on sale during normal opening hours.

In Southend, the Odeon will be open its booking office doors for about an hour from midnight tonight, or fans can ring 0870 50 50 007.

Tickets will be on sale for previews, scheduled to start on Thursday July 15, with the film starting every hour across three screens from 10am.

An Odeon spokeswoman said: "We've had quite a few people contacting us about tickets.

"There will be 16 showings a day for the first weekend including July 15 and then 13 showings during week days."

The Movie Starr cinema on Canvey will be selling tickets from tomorrow via its booking line, 01268 695000, including preview tickets for July 15.

At the 12-screen UCI cinema on the Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, the box office will be open from midnight until to 2am, or customers can ring 0990 888990 from midnight tonight for previews starting on July 15.

Duty manager Chris Bulle said: "We plan to have The Phantom Menace running on eight of our screens when it starts.

"We've had loads of people contacting us already. It's phenomenal how many people want to book right now."

At Robins Cinema, Town Square, Basildon, tickets will go on sale from 5pm tomorrow when the box office doors open.

Manager Gregory Lynn said there would be previews from July 15.

He added: "I won't expect massive crowds for tickets tomorrow, but maybe a week before the film starts."

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