AN ESTIMATED 150 people poured through the doors of the Sporting View pub at Southamp-ton Sports Centre last night to look at the multi-million-pound plans to transform the site.

As revealed in yesterday's Daily Echo, the projected £13m city council-led scheme would include a new indoor athletics track, new catering outlets, better changing rooms and increased car parking.

Last night's drop-in session was the first of six being held at venues all over the city to enable the public to give their views.

Visitor Bob Matson of Lordswood said: "I like the plans and I would like to see someone like Associated British Ports help provide some of the cash for it. It wouldn't miss a couple of million pounds, given how well the business is doing."

Margaret Whitehead, part of the Southampton Sports Centre Protection Group, said: "We have a much better idea of what to expect now there are more detailed plans in front of us. I'm still concerned about how it's going to be funded but it is a long-term project that will take more than ten years to finish."

Cabinet member for leisure and tourism Councillor Derek Burke said: "I'm delighted, not just by the good turnout but also by the amount of positive reaction to the plan. One thing I would like to say is that we are not going to be developing on any other areas than those we have marked out in our initial drawings.

"There is a lot of work to be done in securing funding but we are carrying out that work and look forward to hearing what other members of the public have to say at future drop in sessions."

Also attending the first drop-in session were many city councillors.

l The other drop-in sessions will take place between 6pm and 9pm on:

Tuesday, The Dining Room, Oaklands Community School, Fairsisle Road, Lordshill; Wednesday, The Willow Room, Eastpoint Centre, Burgoyne Road, Thornhill; Thursday, January 16, the creche, Chamberlayne Leisure Centre, Weston Lane, Weston; Wednesday, January 22, The Vaudin Room, Millbrook Community School, Green Lane, Maybush; Thursday, January 30, The Sporting View, Bassett.