A world-class scheme to transform Southampton into a major global centre for tall ships has been unveiled in the city, the Daily Echo can exclusively reveal.

If successful, the project will attract thousands of visitors a year to Southampton's historic waterfront, create new jobs and generate millions of pounds of tourism business for the area.

Under the ambitious plans, majestic vessels with soaring masts and billowing sails would become common sights on Southampton Water among the cruise liners, container ships and cargo vessels, which have already made the city the UK's fastest growing port.

The scheme, say its backers, would make Southampton a landmark throughout the world, as the UK centre for tall ships.

It was only last year that sailing vessels from all over the world converged on Southamp-ton for the start of the Tall Ships Race - one of the most successful events held in 2000.

A team of developers is convinced Mayflower Park can be revamped into Southampton's International Tall Ship Centre, only one of its kind in Europe.

Don Wark, planning consultant for the team behind the proposal, said: "This would be a wonderful attraction for South-ampton which would benefit the whole community and put the city on the map for tall ships.

"We did originally look at the area around the old Royal Pier, but we believe Mayflower Park is the place for the centre which will be designed to accommodate two or three tall ships at any one time. There are tall ships always going up and down the English Channel, looking for the right berth in sheltered waters. Southampton can provide that together with all the back-up facilities."

The scheme calls for the building of berths, administrative and servicing facilities of the size and quality to encourage tall ships to call at Southamp-ton - "Some of the commercial uses under consideration are offices and workshops for maritime organisations, an hotel, apartments, public house and restaurants," said Mr Wark.

Plans already exist for a total facelift of Southampton's waterfront but the developers say the International Tall Ship Centre can be totally separate.

"An initial financial appraisal has been completed using various use permutations and the project's viability established," said Mr Wark, former executive director of the city council's community services and who has been closely involved in developing waterfront plans.

"Serious expressions of interest have already been received from potential tenants for a large proportion of the scheme," he said.

Objectives were drawn up for the centre:

To become the world authority to promote and develop tall ship sailing and attract tall ships from all over the world.

Promote Southampton as a centre for maritime excellence

Provide an attraction to benefit the local economy and educate local, national and international children and adults

Complement and add to Southampton maritime history and future water related projects, and provide greater public access to the waterfront

Create new job opportunities for local people.