CIVIC bosses will be told tomorrow to scupper plans to bring a Las Vegas-style casino to Southampton.

The city council is set to discuss the idea amid calls for a rethink from church leaders and health professionals who claim it would lead to a rise in alcohol abuse, debt and other social ills.

Police also have doubts, saying that crime rates could soar.

Now the council's opposition Tory health spokesman, Councillor Peter Baillie, has called for an immediate halt on the issuing of any new casino licences.

He has proposed a motion that would effectively kill off a new casino if a licence was granted by the government.

Southampton has applied for one of eight licences to operate a large casino. The city is thought to be one of the favourites among the shortlist of 30 local authorities.

Councillor Baillie says the council, with a duty of care to vulnerable residents, could be "seen to act as a conduit for social problems".