COUNCIL leaders are set to shelve plans for a laser light show at Southampton's Civic Centre until they carry out trials in the autumn.

The delay follows protests from environmentalists, astronomers and neighbouring councils over harmful effects such as light pollution.

Postponing the project could mean council chiefs losing £250,000 funding for the project from SEEDA, the regional development agency.

It would also mean a loss of a key attraction to promote the 95th anniversary commemoration of the sinking of the Titanic in April.

A decision to press ahead with the Southampton Laser Gateway project has already been put back by two weeks for more consultation.

It would see four 2.7mm green laser beams installed in the clock tower pointing north, south, east and west, and visible for up to 15 miles.

Lib Dem council leader Adrian Vinson said he had discussed options for rescheduling funding and was confident SEEDA would understand the need for trials and evaluation.

He said a required environmental assessment and the need for a longer period of darkness for testing pushed the trail date back to the autumn.

He said the Titanic anniversary date was "incidental rather than central to the long-term aims of the laser gateway project."

"The city council is of course planning a number of other commemorative events for Titanic 95 and 100," he added.

Opposition leaders have criticised the delay, which has been welcomed by environmental objectors who now have more time to argue their case.

The council's Cabinet is expected to approve "observational" trails for the autumn at its meeting on Monday February 5.