TIMES Square in New York has a glittering array of them and London's Piccadilly Circus is lit up by their bright lights.

Now, Eastleigh town centre also has a new electronic message board - although civic chiefs say there's no danger of a stampede to put up dozens more.

The new board - believed to be the first of its kind in Hampshire - has been put up on the outside of the Safeway supermarket building, close to the bus station and the town's Leigh Road precinct.

The council says it is designed to help provide visitors with better information about what is happening in the town.

At present the sign is under test but it will be used to display up-to-date information about council-run events, shows, films at The Point, French markets and other events being staged in the town. It also shows the date, the time - which is accurately controlled by a radio signal - and the temperature.

Town centre manager, Dennis Chandler, who is project manager for the installation, said: "The message sign is a great way to communicate what is going on in Eastleigh. Town centre shops and companies will also be given the opportunity to advertise their businesses on the message board with the revenue that is generated being ploughed back into the town centre. As far as we know it is the first sign of its kind in Hampshire."

The sign was supplied by Omega Electronics Ltd of Chandler's Ford at a cost of £19,000 - funded from a developer's contribution from Matalan Stores Ltd to help promote the town centre.

Any business interested in advertising should contact Mr Chandler on 023 8068 8216.