Image copyright Eon Image caption Daniel Craig is back playing 007 for the fourth time

Spectre, the next James Bond film, will be released in the UK on 26 October - with its world premiere in London on the same night.

"For the first time ever, the film will open on the same night at cinemas across the UK and Ireland," said distributor Sony Pictures.

Spectre, directed by Skyfall's Sam Mendes, is out in the US on 6 November.

Daniel Craig is playing 007 for the fourth time in the film, which also stars Christoph Waltz and Lea Seydoux.

Other cast members include Sherlock star Andrew Scott, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Ralph Fiennes.

Spectre was shot at Pinewood Studios and filmed on location in London, Mexico City, Rome and Tangier and Erfoud, in Morocco.

The plot involves "a cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation".

Spectre's UK release was originally set for 23 October, with the date then being put back to 6 November.

The last Bond film Skyfall, released in 2012, grossed £700m ( $1.1 billion) worldwide.