Apollo Cinemas, the UK’s largest independent chain, has announced it is converting its 13-strong chain to 3D over the next year through a partnership with RealD.

The installations, which will include a total of 40 screens, have already begun and four cinemas – Redditch, Altrincham, Fareham and Stroud - will be completed by December 15. A new, fourteenth cinema site in Carmarthen will open with Real D 3D technology in April 2010.

Rob Arthur, Apollo Cinemas managing director, said: “There is an appreciative audience hungry for a first class 3D cinema experience and we think RealD is best placed to help us offer this to our customers.”

Real D’s 3D technology spans over 9,000 screens under contract and more than 4,500 screens installed in 48 countries with over 300 exhibition partners.