A BIG screen World Cup party in the heart of Southampton is being planned for this summer.

Up to 7,000 footie fans will be able to follow every minute of the tournament action on the biggest outdoor TV screen in the south.

It will be the centrepiece of a World Cup village featuring food tents and bars next to WestQuay shopping centre.

Daily Echo: Click below to see a video of today's headlines in sixty seconds

The Wimbledon tennis finals and the British Grand Prix will also be shown live on the screen during the month-long football tournament, which runs from June 11. It would also show classic movies.

The Daily Echo-backed event is being planned by Poolebased Big Bear Events.

The firm, which has supplied big screens to events such as the Dubai Grand Prix and Glastonbury, has already successful staged drive-in movies on the same site.

Co-ordinator Paul Hingston said: “We want thousands of people to be able to come along for free and watch every game of the football on the biggest screen on the south coast.”

The 40 sq m screen would dwarf the 25 sq m Olympic screen in Portsmouth’s Guildhall Square.

Mr Hingston said a second major event on the same site is also being planned for later in the summer.

The Southampton Rocks music festival would give the best local musicians a chance to showcase their talents.

Discussions have already taken place with top local acts.

Mr Hingston added there was also the possibility of a charttopping act to headline one of the nights.

He said: “This will be one of the biggest outdoor festivals to be held in the Southampton area.”

Southampton City Council, which owns the derelict West Quay site – set to be become Hammerson’s Watermark WestQuay development of shops, restaurants and bars – welcomed the proposals, but won’t put forward public cash.

A spokesman said: “If we receive a credible offer to stage an event on this location we would be happy to support this.”

■ Potential sponsors can contact Big Bear Events on 01202 830204.