A COUNCILLOR who has repeatedly called for the IMAX to be erased from Bournemouth signs has hit out at the council's inaction.

Cllr Ron Whittaker has made several requests for the cinema to be removed from the town's brown tourism signs ever since the attraction first closed 18 months ago.

But with the summer season well under way, he is angry that confused tourists are once again being directed to a shut cinema.

"It's not exactly rocket science," he said. "It would only take a couple of men with a ladder to paint the signs out.

"It's all right for people in Bournemouth who know the situation with the IMAX.

"But tourists really are confused. We are heralding the IMAX as a great attraction and they get there to find it closed. We're not helping ourselves."

But tourism bosses point out that while the IMAX itself might be closed, the Waterfront building which houses it is home to five thriving businesses the Red Panda Restaurant, KFC, Jumpin Jacks, Wacky Warehouse and Harbour Lights Bar.

Mark Smith, head of tourism, said: "Until we know officially what is happening with the actual function of the IMAX cinema we can't change the signage that directs people to the building as it is still more well known to both locals and visitors as the IMAX building rather than the Waterfront complex."

A county court case that could prove instrumental in determining the future of the IMAX is scheduled for August.

The Northern Ireland Local Government Officers' Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC), which holds the lease for the site, wants to end its association with operator Sheridan.