CINEMAGOERS were reportedly evacuated from a town centre cinema after reports of a burning smell inside.

Firefighters were called to the Vue cinema in East Square, Basildon, yesterday afternoon with customers reporting they were evacuated from the £25million venue.

This was after reports of a "burning smell" in the cinema. The fire service has since confirmed there had been a fault in the escalator.

This was inspected to make sure the scene was safe.

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a burning smell in a cinema in East Square, Basildon at 4.03pm.

“On arrival, crews reported there had been a fault in an escalator and inspected the area to make sure the scene was safe.”