A MULTI-million-pound laboratory to lead the fight against cancer is set to get the go-ahead for Southampton.

City planners are expected to back proposals for the three storey oncology lab currently being built at Southampton General Hospital.

The project had been given the green light in March 1999, but needs council planners' support because an agreement for off-site parking provision has not been signed.

This £5.5 million complex is expected to enhance the city's reputation as one of the most important cancer centres in the world.

It is hoped that thousands of Hampshire people will be the first to benefit from new treatments at the centre.

It will attract funding for up to 50 extra scientists and specialists, who will work on potential cures for a whole range of conditions, particularly lymphomas.

The new building, which is 37 metres long, 15 metres wide and 15 metres high, will be linked to the Tenovous building by an enclosed pedestrian bridge.

Project leader Professor Peter Johnson, said: "The idea is to develop new treatments and bring them through to the clinical side to benefit our patients.

"It will help to keep the city at the very cutting edge of cancer treatment."

A report, which will be put before the city council's development control panel, said: "The scheme needs to address the provision of a park-and-ride facility associated with the travel demand for this development."

The project will go before the panel for debate next Tuesday.