SOUTHAMPTON has won the right to build a Las Vegas-style casino bringing hundreds of jobs and regeneration to the city.

Ambitious plans for a revamp of waterfront around Mayflower Park are now on the cards as part of the development of a "large casino".

The decision also provides the opportunity to create a single site for the Southampton International Boat Show, securing its long-term future.

The new casino is expected to create up to 350 new jobs.

This morning the Casino Advisory Panel recommended Southampton as one of eight councils have the right to build a casino with up to 150 machines with a £4,000 jackpot, covering at least 1,500 square metres.

It would be about three times that of the present Grosvenor Casino in West Quay Road, one of three casinos in the city.

A five-man panel of planning experts spent more than a year deciding where to put the new wave of casinos, including a regional "super casino" with 1,250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines.

It was awarded to Manchester meaning both Greenwhich and Blackpool miss out.

Meanwhile south coast rivals Bournemouth and Brighton lost out in their bids.

Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Adrian Vinson said: "This is a significant opportunity for Southampton to advance economic regeneration in the city including waterfront development.

"However we are very mindful of concerns over the possible adverse impact of gambling.

"We will now be working hard to manage this actively to ensure that any potential problems are tackled head on to provide the maximum benefits, such as significant extra employment and inward investment in the city, and minimum drawbacks for the people of Southampton. If and only if, a perspective operator can meet these conditions will a licence be issued".