SOUTHAMPTON'S multi-million-pound heritage centre is still on track - but it may not all be under one roof.

Escalating land prices after the loss of the Dibden Bay scheme could force the heritage centre to be built on a number of sites across the city.

Fears had been raised that the land at berth 101 would no longer be available for the scheme because it would need to be used for port expansion.

Other possible sites for the planned centre include Mayflower Park and the giant Vosper Thornycroft site in Woolston, which is earmarked for housing and business use.

But despite the Government's decision to turn down Associated British Port's plans to build a huge new port, the heritage centre plans will not be delayed, insists city council heritage boss Peter Wakeford.

He said: "Nothing has been ruled in and nothing ruled out. We need to establish a suitable site but one thing that has been established is that the heritage centre is sustainable."

Museum director Alan Jones added: "It is a dream to put it all together but being pragmatic about it, it is going to be extremely difficult because the value of land is so great. Because of Dibden Bay, it is going to be more difficult to release valuable commercial land."

Currently some prime pieces of land across the county can fetch up to £500,000. The comments were made yesterday following a ceremony to mark Southampton Hall of Aviation changing its name to Solent Sky in recognition of the region's contribution to aviation history.

Motor racing legend Sir Jack Brabham made a pit stop at the museum to help mark the occasion and reacquainted himself with the flying boat Beachcomber, which he first flew more than 40 years ago. Also present was Peter Twiss - the first man to fly an aircraft at more than 100mph across The Solent.