The Hunger Games has seen its age classification drop from a 15 to a 12A in the UK.

The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has revealed that in order to reach the new rating, seven seconds of footage has either been cut or replaced.

The film, set in a post-apocalyptic America where adolescents fight to the death on live TV, had been facing a 15 certificate.

The movie is based on the first of a trilogy of novels by Suzanne Collins.

The big screen adaptation stars Jennifer Lawrence, an Oscar nominee last year for Winter's Bone, in the lead role.

The cast also includes Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz and Donald Sutherland.

The BBFC said the film's UK distributor Lions Gate UK "chose to make cuts in order to achieve a 12A classification".

"A number of cuts were made in one scene to reduce an emphasis on blood and injury," the BBFC report said.

"These cuts, which were implemented by digitally removing sight of blood splashes and sight of blood on wounds and weapons, were made in accordance with BBFC Guidelines and policy."

"An uncut 15 classification was available. These cuts were made in addition to reductions already made following an earlier 'advice' viewing of an incomplete version."

Source: Press Release