Eastleigh'S long-awaited multiplex cinema project could end up costing motorists more to park in the town centre.

Civic chiefs are likely to review the length of time parking charges are applicable once a leisure package which will change the face of the town is up and running.

One possibility is that the start of free parking in the evening in town- centre car parks could be put back from 6pm to 7pm.

Last month the Daily Echo revealed that a package for an eight-screen cinema plus leisure units including a casino, restaurants, bars and a hotel alongside the town's showpiece Swan shopping centre could be on the starting blocks by next autumn.

It followed the announcement that Cordwell Leisure Developments had been named as the "preferred development partner" to breathe new life into the town centre.

At the time, council leader Keith House predicted the package would totally change the face of Eastleigh's leisure facilities and the way the town centre worked.

Motorists currently have to pay to leave their vehicles in Eastleigh town centre car parks between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday, while parking is free on Sundays and bank holidays.

The possibility of charging until 7pm was raised by Councillor Chris Thomas - who said it might be something to consider in the future - as the borough's executive Cabinet rubber-stamped proposals which will see Eastleigh's parking charges rise from March 1.

The move was not ruled out - although Cllr House said the time to look at it was when the cinema was working.

Meanwhile, motorists will have to dig deeper in their pockets from the start of the new financial year.

New charges approved by the executive will see the cost of parking up to one hour rise from 50p to 60p, the cost of two hours will rise from 80p to £1, three hours will go up from £1.70 to £1.80, four hours will go up 10p to £2.50 and an all-day ticket will be £5 instead of £4.50.

The cost of a quarterly parking permit will rise from £190 to £200.