PLANS for a Las Vegas style casino in Southampton could be scuppered by a House of Commons vote.

More than 100 disgruntled MPs - backed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott - have signed a parliamentary motion expressing their "surprise and regret" at plans to site a super-casino in Manchester, rather than Blackpool.

The action has raised the possibility that this month's all-or-nothing-vote by MPs on the siting of the super-casino and 16 smaller ones, including South-ampton, will not be passed.

The city's two MPs said they hoped their fellow MPs would not vote against the Casino Advisory Panel's recommendation leaving the city's multi-million pound waterfront redevelopment plans high and dry.

Although both John Denham and Alan Whitehead said they would have liked to see the super-casino built in Blackpool, they have pledged to vote in favour of the recommendations in Southampton's interests.

Southampton Itchen MP John Denham said: "I have got some sympathy for people that would like to have a separate vote on the Blackpool and Manchester super-casino issue.

"I would have liked Blackpool to have got the supercasino, but I will vote for the whole thing. The casino will be important to Southampton because it is one of the ways to bring money and investment into the city."

Mr Denham said he would only lobby his fellow MPs to vote in favour of the recommendation if he felt it would be voted out.

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead said: "There has been some concerns about the super casino proposal. But the widespread sentiment is that an independent panel was appointed to look at the options thoroughly and make their recommendations. They did their work thoroughly and I don't think their recommendation will be overturned."

Council leader Adrian Vinson, who previously declared the casino licence a "significant opportunity" for the city, was unavailable for comment.

Southampton Labour Group leader Councillor June Bridle said she still had "mixed feelings" on the prospect of a casino and believed MPs would vote the recommendations through.

"The Casino Advisory Panel is an independent body and I think the way they have reached their decisions it will command the support of the majority," she said.

The city's Conservative deputy party leader Councillor Royston Smith said he believed the city's casino bid would not be thwarted.

The Casino Advisory Panel made a recommendation in January that Southampton should be granted a casino licence. If given the final go ahead at the House of Commons vote on March 29 casino operators are expected to try and win over the city council to build and run the new gambling centre, with 150 gaming machines and a maximum prize of £4,000 in the city.

The casino, which would be between 1,500 and 3,500 square metres, had been earmarked by the city council for the derelict Royal Pier site. It could generate up to 350 jobs.

Council leader Adrian Vinson said he thought if MPs failed to vote through the casino advisory panel recommendations, it would mostly likely result in a delay for Southampton as the Government took "two steps back" and amended its proposals.

"I wouldn't imagine the Government would abandon the whole project," he said.