HUNDREDS of superhero fans have been left disappointed after booking tickets for the midnight showing of a Hollywood blockbuster - only for council bosses to stop it going ahead.

The Odeon, in Head Street, Colchester, had been selling tickets for tomorrow’s 12.01am showing of Guardians of the Galaxy 2.

But on Tuesday Odeon bosses sent an email to customers stating the showing would not be going ahead after an application for a temporary event notice was refused by Colchester Council.

Any TEN application must be submitted to the authority at least five days in advance of the planned event taking place, but Odeon management did not submit their application to screen the Marvel film, starring Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, until Monday.

Mike Lilley, Colchester councillor responsible for licensing, said he understands many fans will be disappointed, but the council “has to abide by the law”.

He added: “By law, these things have to go to the relevant authorities.

“When a TEN is applied for, it must go to the police, environmental health and the general public has a chance to object.

“The Odeon knows this and every time they have a late showing, they have to do that.

“Would anyone have objected? I don’t know, but I did think initially when it was refused it might be because the police wouldn’t be keen on even more people spilling out onto Head Street in the early hours of Friday morning.”

A Colchester Council spokesman confirmed it is not the first time the cinema has submitted an application late.

Last year, the chain screened a late performance on Star Wars epic Rogue One.

That screening went ahead as planned, but it is understood the application for that event was submitted late.

The spokesman added: “At the time, it was made clear to them what needed to be done in the future and what rules they had to follow.”

An email sent to customers stated: “Unfortunately Colchester Council licensing team have declined our request to extend our licence for this particular event.

“As a management team, we have gone out of our way to have this decision changed however this is out of our control and we cannot show a late performance without an extension being granted.

“I can understand this is a disappointment to our guests and I feel in myself that we have let our guests down.

“I apologise for such an inconvenience.”

An Odeon spokesman said: "We apologise to all guests affected and have been in touch to offer a full refund, along with free tickets to enjoy a film of their choice in the near future.

"We also look forward to working with the council to host fans at other midnight screenings to come."

All pre-booked tickets will be refunded while each customer will also be given an un-restricted free pass to the cinema as well as a free food combo of their choice.

The first screening of the film is now at 10.45am tomorrow.