A £10M cash injection from Associated British Ports (ABP), owners and operators of Southampton docks, has given a major boost to the city's number one position in the UK cruise industry.

As a result of ABP's investment package, Southampton will be able to boast some of the most modern dockside cruise passenger terminals anywhere in Europe.

Cruise ships, together with the sector's associated services and suppliers, are now major elements of the local economy.

Demand is growing so fast that a third terminal is under construction at 101 berth in the Western Docks to cope with the growing list of cruise ships using the port.

This latest facility, formerly the Windward Island banana import complex, is to be called the City Cruise Terminal and will include a total of 12 check-in desks, a baggage area, a lounge for 320 passengers as well as a dedicated long-term car park.

The terminal will be officially opened on August 14 by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire Mary Fagan.

ABP, working side-by-side with Cunard and P&O Cruises, has also completely revamped the existing Mayflower and Queen Elizabeth II passenger terminals.

A total of £7m has been spent on the Western Docks' Mayflower Terminal to refurbish the lounge area and create an entirely new reception and check-in area, baggage hall, Customs and arrivals facilities and the installation of an overhead passenger-gangway system.

At the Queen Elizabeth II Terminal in the Eastern Docks another £2m investment has resulted in a bigger embarkation lounge, a facelift of the passenger waiting area, bigger luggage handling area and an overhead gangway for passengers.