Where can you see Mary Poppins in Kent and when

It's been more than 50 years since Mary Poppins first arrived on the big screen.

But more than half a century later the fun-but-firm nanny is back in a much-anticipated sequel arriving in Kent cinemas before Christmas.

Mary Poppins Returns will be released across the county on Friday, December 21.

Jane and Michael Banks have now grown up, the film is set more than 20 years after the original, and after suffering a personal loss the brother and sister - who now have children of their own - are in need of some joy in their lives again.

Into 1930s London flies the magical Mary Poppins - with British actress Emily Blunt now taking up the parrot-shaped umbrella - and there is even a cameo appearance from Dick Van Dyke who played chimney sweep Bert in the first Disney blockbuster.

Despite initially rumoured to have a Christmas release date, the film will now be in cinemas ahead of December 25, providing families with the option of a magical outing ahead of festivities almost 54 years to the day since the first movie was released on December 23, 1964.

With tickets already available to book, Christmas Eve screenings are already proving popular. The film will then resume showings after Christmas Day, when cinemas are closed, with a large number of showings on Boxing Day and the days after for families on a break from work and school.

To read the latest film review for the film following the European premier in London please see here.

Where to catch the film in Kent

Mary Poppins is being released across the county and being screened by both the major cinema chains and smaller picture houses.

Tickets are already on sale and available to pre-book including at Showcase in Bluewater, Vue in Thanet and Cineworld chains in Rochester, Ashford and Dover.

Families booking to see the blockbuster with Odeon, which has received recent criticism over £40 ticket prices at its refurbished Leicester Square venue, is offering cinema goers an extra spoonful of sugar when booking with them.

According to its website every child will receive an exclusive Mary Poppins Returns activity book when they come to see the film at an Odeon cinema between December 21 and 23.

Tickets for its Kent cinemas are £10 per person when booking a family ticket or £14.25 for individual adults and £11 for children 12 and under.

The original Mary Poppins starring acress Julie Andrews will also be available to catch over Christmas. The film is being shown on BBC One on Christmas Eve according to the broadcaster's festive listings. To learn more about Mary Poppins Returns or to book your tickets for a Kent cinema click here.

Children's laureate and Charlie and Lola creator Lauren Child has also spoken to My Kent Family about her new illustration of Mary Poppins for a new hardback edition of the PL Travers story.
To learn more about the book please click here.