DETAILED plans for a stunning new cinema and leisure complex in Eastleigh town centre could be just weeks away.

Council bosses say work could start on the flagship project this year provided loose ends are tied up in the contract with developer Cordwell Leisure Developments.

Six months ago Eastleigh was said to be "tantalisingly close" to tying up a multi-million pound scheme set to revolutionise the town centre and also spark further retail development in High Street and Market Street.

It was expected that details of the project - likely to include an eight-screen mulitplex cinema, casino, hotel and gym built alongside the town's showpiece Swan covered shopping centre - would be unveiled last year with Cordwell submitting a planning application to the borough council.

Cordwell - which has been responsible for urban renaissance and regeneration leisure developments in Birmingham and Manchester - was named as "preferred development partner" for the Swan Centre scheme by Eastleigh Council and Prudential Property Investment Managers in December 2003.

Last June, Eastleigh Council leader Keith House revealed a bigger scheme was being looked at and cited that as the reason for taking extra time to reveal details of the project.

Now Cllr House has said: "I am optimistic that this new year will see the start of work on the cinema scheme.

"It is taking longer than I had hoped, but we have a first class team working on the project and I am confident that when we get there, the people of Eastleigh will be pleased with the

outcome."

The council chief added: "I am unable to provide more detailed information just yet, as confidential commercial discussions are ongoing.

"But the good news is that I very much hope these are nearing completion and that in weeks, rather than months, we will have a detailed package to launch."