The multi-screened venue in Pegasus Court also won two other accolades – Large Multiplex and Marketing Cinema of the Year for 2007 at the annual Odeon conference.

The awards were judged on various aspects of business, including service to guests, financial performance and local marketing activity.

General manager of the cinema Kenny Simmons said: "This is a fantastic achievement by the whole team at Kettering.

"They have worked tremendously hard all year and it is great to be recognised in this way."

The cinema put some of its success down to its events alongside film releases including a charity premiere, a Shrek makeover and special screenings for pensioners.

The cinema saw an increase in ticket sales last year thanks to the big screen releases of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End and Shrek The Third, which were the three biggest films of last year.

Marketing manager for the Kettering cinema Simon Hopkins said: "In the year that the cinema celebrated its 10th anniversary, this was the perfect icing on the cake.

"Last year's UK cinema business showed an upsurge in admissions over the previous year, helped in part by the bad summer weather but also the great combination of popular sequels and franchise films.

"It's often the case that films nominated for awards are not the ones that pull in the largest local audiences – since it's clear that the family market is the dominant force.

"But the best thing about cinema is the variety of experiences on offer – from sheer entertainment to thought-provoking pieces.

"Indeed, to cater for more eclectic taste we will soon start a new weekly season called Director's Chair that will screen films that have a more defined appeal."