Southampton was yesterday dealt a multi-million-pound hand to fund regeneration and hundreds of jobs.

The long-awaited redevelopment of the waterfront and securing the future of the money spinning annual Boat Show could be just two of the benefits of a large casino in the city.

But while business experts and politicians heralded the granting of a large casino licence to Southampton yesterday, church leaders issued their own warnings to city bosses.

Today, casino operators are preparing to fight it out to win over the city council to build and run the new gambling centre, with 150 gaming machines and a maximum prize of £4,000, in the city.

However, the Bishop of Winchester, the Rev Michael Scott-Joynt, said: "I am sure that the churches would want to continue to press the council to consider whether a large casino would not do more harm than good to the city."

See full report and pictures on pages six, seven, eight and nine of today's Daily Echo