A MULTI-screen cinema has been added to redevelopment plans that are set to change the face of a Hampshire town centre.

Fareham's flagship Market Quay shopping and leisure centre will include a five-screen picture house and an LA Fitness complex, developers and councillors have revealed.

But a proposed nightclub has been dropped from the £18m scheme, which is expected to be completed by Christmas 2002.

Developers Miller/CTP (Fareham) Ltd are set to begin work on the site in September this year.

The plans, confirmed yesterday, mean residents and visitors to the town will benefit from a host of facilities at the West Street complex that is set to bring hundreds of jobs to the town.

As well as the cinema and fitness centre, councillors announced the development will also boast cut-price designer clothing store TK Maxx and sports giant JJB Sports.

The new plans for Market Quay were hailed as a huge boost for Fareham town centre.

Leader of the council Sean Woodward said: "The new Market Quay development ushers in extremely exciting times for Fareham and now the proposals of a multiplex cinema is the icing on the cake for the scheme.

"The inclusion of a 780-seat multi-plex cinema will bring more jobs for local people and a new burst of life and vitality in the town centre.

"This is certainly a complex the whole family can enjoy and I am sure will be a huge boost for the town."

But security fears remain after Fareham police complained that manpower could be stretched by looking after the centre.

Insp Simon Wrigglesworth said: "Although there is no nightclub, bars and restaurants do still go on into the early hours. We have been in consultation with the council throughout the process and made our concerns clear.

"However, in light of the announcement we must adjust our policing priorities around the town centre once the complex opens but before that tackle the disruption problems that will inevitably come while the complex is being built."