CINEMA giant Cineworld, which has a branch in Newport, is reportedly set to close all its UK sites in the coming weeks.

The Sunday Times says the chain will announce the decision next week.

It says the firm is writing to Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to say the postponement of big-budget releases has rendered the industry "unviable".

The closures could reportedly take place as soon as this week, putting 5,500 jobs at risk.

The release date for the James Bond film No Time To Die was postponed on Friday.

It was originally due to be released in April, but was delayed until November amid global concern around the spread of coronavirus.

It is hoped that the Cineworld cinemas will be able to reopen next year, with staff being asked to accept redundancy in the hope of rejoining the company when theatres open again.