PART of a cinema destroyed after a fire ripped through the building will be demolished in the next few weeks.

Scott Cinemas, which operates the Regent Cinema in Lyme Regis, will demolish the remains of the auditorium block to make way for rebuilding the art deco listed building.

The cinema was all but destroyed in the blaze which tore through the building on Tuesday afternoon – after an electric fault in the roof space.

Scott Cinemas has confirmed that the cinema will be rebuilt to “its former glory”.

The iconic façade at the front of the cinema was mostly undamaged by the fire.

A company spokesman said: “Damage to the front of house areas is largely cosmetic, and will be attended to as part of the wider build scheme.

“We have every intention to rebuild the cinema to its former glory.

“The authorities have confirmed that there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, which was caused by an electrical fault within the roof void of the building.

“Over the next few days, fencing will be going up around the site to establish a safe working zone for contractors. In the coming weeks, what is left of the auditorium block will be demolished, leaving the site clear for construction works.”

The company has also paid thanks to the Lyme Regis community and hoped the Regent Cinema would be up and running “as soon as is practically possible”.

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A spokesperson added: “At Scott Cinemas, we have been genuinely touched to receive so many messages of support from all areas of the local community, whether it be from our customers, or from businesses offering help, support and services.

“Although all of us at Scott Cinemas are deeply saddened by the loss of the Regent, we are acting quickly to ensure we can provide the people of Lyme Regis with a cinema as soon as is practically possible.

“Once again, we wish to extend our thanks to the people of Lyme Regis for their support, all of the emergency services that worked tirelessly to try to save as much of the building as possible, and all of our partners in the industry - all of whom have worked extremely hard over the last few days to ensure that our needs have been attended to.”