Eastleigh'S silver screen dreams of building a multiplex cinema in the heart of the town centre are back on stream following a bold marketing move by civic chiefs.

More than three years ago planning permission was granted for an 11-screen multiplex as part of the town's showpiece Swan covered shopping centre.

The plan for a 2,200-seat state-of-the-art facility included building over the existing car park alongside Tesco's at first-floor level.

The scheme remained a paper dream but now Eastleigh is inviting developers to join a council-led partnership to serve up new leisure facilities and a multiplex.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, council leader Keith House said of the previous scheme: "The industry couldn't deliver. The package simply didn't work as far as the funders were concerned."

He added: "All the evidence we have got is that there are operators queuing up to come into Eastleigh - it is just a question of getting the package right."

Now the council is working in partnership with Prudential - the leaseholders of the Swan Centre - to get a development partner to provide a landmark building on the 1.85-acre site.

The council leader revealed: "We are already getting a lot of interest. We would like to explore, with development partners, getting other leisure facilities into the scheme as well.

"It could be ten-pin bowling, it could be health and fitness, a mix of other catering restaurants or pubs and, indeed, other retail operators to further boost the Swan Centre."

"By the borough council taking a more direct role in promoting the development alongside the Prudential it gives us more ability to work together to come up with something that, this time, can become a reality."

Preliminary particulars circulated to developers say any scheme would require the retention of the car park and integration with the Swan Centre stores.

Interested developers are being invited to complete an application form by May 23 to express their interest and the council and Prudential will select a shortlist to have further talks with.

Cllr House warned: "It is not a quick fix. We have to go out to the market and then the planning process will follow on from that."

He added: "Widening the range of leisure facilities for the town of Eastleigh is one of the council's highest priorities. We want to ensure that Eastleigh provides the best in leisure and entertainment for both its local community and for south Hampshire.

"This is a landmark development and it is important that any scheme is designed to a high standard which enhances the Swan Centre and the town centre."