HORROR movie fans are in for a treat as the Royals Shopping Centre opens after hours for a special screening of a spine-tingling classic on a huge screen.

The ultimate zombie horror movie, GeorgeARomero’s Dawn of the Dead, will be shown at the centre, in Southend, during a free Halloween event.

The film, famously set in a shopping mall, tells the tale of a disparate group of plucky survivors who are besieged by ravenous zombies.

It is billed as the ultimate fright night experience and it will be the first time the film has been shown at a shopping mall in this country.

It will be screened on Friday, October 31, when the centre’s shops have closed.

As darkness descends, a pop-up cinema will screen the classic horror film to an udience of more than 200.

The 1978 gory shocker is not for the faint-hearted, so it’s strictly over-18s only – especially as the zombies will not be confined to the screen!

The event is a collaboration between the Royals Shopping Centre, in Southend, and the White Bus, organisers of Southend’s annual film and Horror-on-Sea festivals, along with Silent Studios and South Essex College.

Dawn Jeakings, manager of the Royals said: “This is the perfect location to show Dawn of the Dead, as most of the film is set within the confines of a shopping mall.

“It’s the first time we’ve done this and it’s going to be so exciting. I can’t wait.

“Obviously, it would add to the fun if you came dressed as a character from the film and there will be prizes for the best costumes.”

To add to the fun, the audience might just find that not all the zombies are on the cinema screen.

Ms Jeakings said: “Halloween is the night when the dead come back to life, so you never what might happen.”

The shopping centre will open at 7.30pm, with the film starting at 8pm.

Entry is free, but spaces are limited.