A BID to kill off the prospect of a Las Vegas-style casino in Southampton went spectularly bust last night.

Just four councillors backed a call to force the city council to withdraw its application for a super casino licence.

The council's opposition Tory health spokesman, Councillor Peter Baillie, put forward a motion to scupper a "social and health cancer that would hold the city back for decades to come".

In a personal plea, he said that a large casino would cause "serious social and health issues for the city".

He pointed to objections over gambling and alcohol addiction from health professionals and the police, who predicted a rise in crime.

Cllr Baillie was earlier backed by the chief of the Salvation Army in Southampton, Major Clive Shead, who spoke on behalf of city church leaders.

The Bishop of Winchester, the Rt Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, wanted to personally add his weight to the debate but was unable to attend.

Mr Shead told councillors: "No demand for increased access to gambling in Southampton has been clearly demonstrated, but research shows that the more opportunities there are to gamble the more people will gamble."

Mr Shead said that poorer families would be worst hit by the casino, tempted by a "get rich quick" illusion.

He warned of risks to children from exposure to the resulting crime, criminal activity, drugs and prostitution that accompany gambling.

He added: "The financial benefit to the company running the casino or even to the council does not compensate for the social cost to individuals, families and residents of this proposal."

However, most of Cllr Baillie's Conservative colleagues deserted him.

The Labour group refused to support his motion, saying that it was premature.

Liberal Democrat council leader Adrian Vinson said that councillors should have the right to decide on granting a large casino licence if the government awarded one.

Cllr Vinson stressed that with 150 one arm bandits with a maximum prize of £4,000 it would not be the same size as the big name Vegas casinos.

A casino would provide cash to establish a single site for the Southampton Boat Show while measures would be put in place to tackle any social problems.

The city is thought to be one of the favourites on a shortlist of 30 local authorities. The government will name the eight licence winners on January 30.