SOUTHAMPTON is set to get three big screens for use across the city to promote events, news and sporting events.

Cllr Jeremey Moulton announced on Facebook that Southampton City Council will be getting the screens for use in the city centre across Guildhall Square, maybe at Central Station, Westquay, the Bargate and at a cruise terminal.

He said the funding has been secured from the government's new Welcome Back Fund.

He added that they hope the screens will be in place in time to broadcast the Euros.

He said: "The new Conservative Council is acquiring 3 big screens for use in the city centre. Guildhall Square, maybe at Central Station, Westquay, the Bargate and at a cruise terminal.

"The funding for this has been secured from the government's new Welcome Back Fund which we will be using for a whole host of measures to inject pride and energy in the city.

"The new screens will be used to promote city events and news and for sporting events.

"We are working exceptionally hard to get something in place early for the Euros and hopefully we can broadcast England winning in the final!

"We do have to ensure things are done properly and safely and public health considerations are paramount with COVID."

It comes after calls were made for Southampton to have a big screen in the city where football fans can cheer on England as they reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020.

With the national team just one game away from the final on Sunday, Southampton Labour leader Satrvir Kaur said it would be great to give residents in the city somewhere to get together - safely - to cheer on the team.

She said: "As football brings our nation together, it’d be great to give Southampton a chance to get together (safely, like other cities) to cheer on #England in the semi-finals (and finals ) on a BIG SCREEN.

"If Labour were still running the Council, we absolutely would have done this…"