SOUTHAMPTON'S waterfront Mayflower Park could be the home to a world-class heritage centre within five years.

Leisure and tourism consultancy Vision Works has been given £60,000 by the council to study ways of delivering a visitor attraction and education centre to celebrate the city's history.

The centre would tell the story of Southampton from its pre-historic roots to Roman settlements and becoming Britain's gateway to the world in the 20th century.

An announcement about the plan was made at the Tudor Merchant Hall, which dates from 1428.

Squadron Leader Alan Jones, chairman of Southampton Heri-tage Foundation which represents 26 organisations, was delighted.

He said: "It is something long overdue. This has come about as a result of a groundswell of opinion. There is no other city in the country with the heritage we have in terms of maritime and aviation, from Mayflower to Titanic and the Spitfire.

"I want to see an object-based centre with a modern approach so we can tell people the story in an exciting way.

"The intention is to move the aviation museum into the new heritage centre. We've always said this will only work with a waterfront location."

He favours Mayflower Park between Town Quay and the main Western Docks.

A list of possible waterside venues has been presented to Vision Works for them to explore. They hope to complete the study in March with a report due to be presented to the council in May.

Vision Works chief executive, Dominic Tweddle said: "We have a list of potential sites for development. We will be finding ways to consult the public."

Council Cabinet member for leisure and tourism, Cllr Peter Wakeford, added: "I think the story of Southampton will help bring Southampton together.

"It's never really been told in a full and complete way. It's got to be told in an exciting and attractive way that gets the imagination of visitors. It has to be more than a museum."