A PASSENGER-carrying helium balloon, dubbed the Southampton Eye, is set to become the latest attraction to lure more visitors to the city.

The tethered balloon would be anchored in the city centre's Andrews Park and float up to 400ft into the sky, giving breathtaking views for 25 miles.

Lindstrand Aerial Platforms Ltd (LAP) have approached the city council for permission to launch the balloon from spring next year.

They want a temporary five-year deal which will see the council net a portion of ticket sales and marketing income.

It comes as council leaders seeking an elusive "wow" factor for the city put on hold controversial plans for a laser light show in the Civic Centre tower.

Tests on the environmental impact of four proposed 2.7mm green lasers, which would be visible for up to 15miles, will be carried out in the autumn.

City leisure bosses say they are happy with draft balloon plans submitted by LAP and reckon they would get about £20,000 a year from the balloon.

It would be ploughed back into parks and green spaces.

The 22m wide balloon would carry up to 30 passengers for £10 a time flights during daylight hours over the summer.

The Lindstrand "HiFlyer" aerial platform has been manufactured since 1995 and is a feature at various UK city's including Bournemouth.

Southampton tourism chiefs say: "Current balloon installations in the UK and across the world attract between 30,000 and 65,000 customers per year, dependant on location, and considerably enhance the visitor numbers and visitor experience of the parks or tourism sites in which they operate."

Southampton council leader Adrian Vinson is supporting the idea and said that although it alone wouldn't be a much sought after Wow Factor' it could offer an exciting new attraction to the city.

"I think it's a very imaginative opportunity that would open up a variety of experiences in the city.

"In particular I think it could give exciting views over Southampton and the surrounding areas.

"The one in Bournemouth has been running for quite some time now and I don't see why one wouldn't work just as well in Southampton," he added.

Labour councillor Derek Burke, chairman of the Leisure and Culture Standing Scrutiny Panel, also backed the scheme.

"I think it would be very popular in Southampton and people would like to go up to see the other attractions in the city and watch the cruise liners coming in to the port.

Conservative group deputy leader Cllr Royston Smith also backed the scheme.

"It would certainly be a crowd puller and I think people will quite like it.

"I can't see it being enough for a Wow Factor' but if we can't find one large thing to bring people to the city then there is nothing wrong with having several small ones," he added.

LAP will need to get clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority to operate the balloon.

And the council must get permission from the Government to use Andrews Park because it is common land.

Officers insist the council will not bear any of the risks of the venture or invest any cash in it. The council's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet will discuss the balloon on Monday.