A CEILING at a £70million leisure centre has caved in days before it is due to open.

Tons of plaster crashed down at the 12-screen Odeon multiplex at Braehead, near Glasgow.

It is part of the Xscape complex being overseen by Laing O'Rourke.

They built the Holyrood debating chamber where a beam broke loose last week. Workers arriving at the site yesterday were told the ceiling in screen seven - designed to seat around 500 people - had come down

No one was inside and there were no injuries.

The cinema had been fitted out and was ready for public use.

Work on the complex was halted as health and safety inspectors carried out an urgent probe.

Last night, there were question marks over whether the complex would open on time on April 6.

One worker said cinemagoers could have been killed if the collapse had taken place during a movie screening.

The man said: "We showed up to work today and found out that the ceiling had fallen through. Nobody was allowed in.

"I was told about 200 square metres of ceiling just dropped down.

"Had this happened when it was open there could have been a load of people inside. It makes you shiver.

"They are going to have to check the whole project.

"I don't know who is to blame but this is going to cost a lot of money to fix.

"All the seats were in, the soundproofing, speakers, walls and framing for the screen."

The massive cinema complex will seat 2406 people.

Another source at the construction site said: "The problem could have stemmed from the false ceiling if it was not secured.

"The weight of the ceiling, which also holds lights and the sprinkler system, could have been too much.

"If all the cinemas have been fitted like this they may need to be re-examined."

A spokeswoman for Xscape and the Odeon admitted a health and safety probe had been launched but would not say if the opening of the complex will be delayed.

She said: "An incident relating to the ceiling occurred in one of the Odeon auditoria.

"The project is still in its construction stage and the site is currently under the control of Laing O'Rourke.

"Fortunately, the incident did not cause injury to any of the construction workers.

"The Health & Safety Executive have visited the site and are in discussions with Laing O'Rourke and Odeon's on-site principal contractor, G F Holdings, and are investigating the incident.

"Until we have the outcome of this investigation, we are unable to give further detail."

An HSE spokesman said: "We need to look at this to see whether it is a construction flaw or if something else made the ceiling collapse."

Contractors Laing O'Rourke refused to comment on the ceiling incident, as did GF Holdings.

Laing O'Rourke were summoned to the Scottish parliament earlier this month after a large beam broke loose and swung over MSPs' heads during a debate.

The 12ft long beam became detached at one end from its steel supporting bracket and fell through a 70 degree arc.

Presiding Officer George Reid called Laing O'Rourke to the parliament as well as construction manager Bovis and structural engineer Ove Arup.

Work began on Xscape in October 2004

The complex will feature a massive indoor ski slope and a bowling centre.

Xscape also boasts 40 retail units, including restaurants and bars, and an aerial assault course and climbing wall.

The leisure scheme is due to open on March 27 and will create more than 1000 jobs.

Its owners expect to attract 3million visitors each year. The leisure scheme is a joint venture with Braehead owners Capital Shopping Centres.

The sports centre is being fronted by former Millennium Dome boss Pierre-Yves Gerbeau.

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