CINEMAGOERS in Bolton are flocking to snap up tickets for the eagerly awaited sequel Spider-Man 2.

The film, which stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst, has attracted a frenzy of interest with people keen to be the first to see the movie, which goes on general release on Thursday nationwide.

Spider-Man 2 has broken box office records in the United States, grossing £80 million since it opened two weeks ago.

Cinema bosses in Bolton believe that the film will do brisk business in the town, with bookings to see previews of the comic book hero in action on the big screen selling well.

UGC cinema will show Spider-Man 2 on four screens.

The film is expected to compete with the popular film Shrek 2, which has made £17 million in the UK in its opening week a fortnight ago.

Stephen Halvorsen, manager of Astley Bridge based cinema, UGC, said: "We've had plenty of interest from people wanting to see Spider-Man 2, which is what we expect from a film of this kind.

"We're expecting both Spiderman 2 and Shrek 2 to be the biggest Summer blockbusters this year."

One film which has got people talking is Michael Moore's controversial documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, which opened this week.

The film, which attacks US President George Bush's policy on Iraq, has taken more than £49 million at the American box office alone.

And according to cinema bosses the film has made people in Bolton air their views on the war against terror in the Middle East.

Mr Halvorsen said: "We had three preview showings of Fahrenheit 9/11 and we've had an excellent response and feedback from people who have seen it."