THE FUTURE of Southampton's Megabowl ten pin bowling alley is safe despite the 12-strong Megabowl chain going into administration.

The Millbrook alley is unaffected because it is run by a company called Tenpin and not the Megabowl company whose name it carries.

Georgica PLC, owners of both Tenpin and the 12-strong Megabowl chain, have grown fed-up with its losses of £3m last year and cut it off financially.

Megabowl UK's losses were also forecast to rise to £4m next year.

A spokesman said: "Georgica has concluded that it sees no reasonable prospect of a successful turnaround of Megabowl's trading performance and so has concluded that it is no longer appropriate to continue to provide financial support to Megabowl."

Bournemouth and Poole branches are affected but continue to trade as normal for the time being.

The Southampton branch is unaffected because, last year, Georgica set up a separate company called Tenpin to run 39 alleys, including more Megabowl branches than were actually left to the Megabowl company.

A company insider said the future of the Southampton branch, which employs at least 40 people, was safe.

The company is now to concentrate on Tenpin and its core cue sports brand Riley's.

No Georgica representative would make a comment.