ARMCHAIR film fans are being urged to swap their sofas for cinema seats to see "the most immense cinematic experience available."

Audiences at Bradford's new £780,000 IMAX Cinema will enjoy a "truly immersive experience" thanks to a bigger screen, which measures 60ft by 48ft, and better sound.

The new theatre was officially reopened last night for a VIP screening of the movie Everest, with special guest Andrew Cripps, president of IMAX, the company behind the technology.

Mr Cripps said: "We sell ourselves on providing the most immense cinematic experience that is available in the cinema. We want to get people out of their houses.

"IMAX is a bigger screen, which we have brought closer to the audience, so you feel like you are part of the movie. You can 'feel' the sound, not just hear it."

After seeing Everest in 3D, which stars Keira Knightley and Jake Gyllenhaal, Mr Cripps said: "I thought it was terrific. The cinematography is spectacular. I got a little bit of vertigo and it put me off mountaineering," he joked.

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Media Museum, which houses the IMAX theatre, described watching movies on the new screen as "truly immense".

"The feedback on the fantastic sound quality has been good. It's incredibly sharp and immersive. There is nothing to compare with IMAX. It's on the biggest scale possible and is streets ahead of home cinema."

She added: "You won't believe your eyes and ears - come and experience the spectacle."