IT'S lights, camera, action for a stunning £25m leisure complex aimed at providing a Hampshire town with its own multiplex cinema.

After months of anticipation, detailed proposals for the scheme, set to revolutionise Eastleigh's nightlife and breathe life into the town, have finally been unveiled.

Developer Cordwell Leisure has lodged a detailed planning application for a leisure complex incorporating a nine-screen cinema, 20-lane indoor bowling centre and a 70-bed hotel, adjoining the Swan shopping centre.

The plans should kick-start further retail expansion in High Street and Market Street.

Councillors are likely to consider the leisure blueprint on June 28 - and if planning permission is granted, it is hoped to start work on the 160,000sq ft project, in September.

The glitzy new facilities will be linked to an 850-space car park and the shopping mall.

Other attractions proposed in the scheme include a health and fitness club, plus a series of cafe bars, restaurants and pubs.

Now, Cordwell's managing director Malcolm Wilcox says: "We are excited that the culmination of 12 months hard work by ourselves, the council, the architects and Prudential, has brought about the lodging of this planning application.

"The leisure complex will enhance the town centre and provide a new dimension to the lifestyle of Eastleigh. The plan is to have the development open for trading in late autumn 2006."

Steve Miller, of Shrewsbury architects Aedas, emphasised that the centre would have a "modern contemporary look".

He added: "We are creating a visual appearance of a series of buildings that will blend in with the existing townscape."

A pedestrianised street will be created between the leisure complex and shopping mall, linking the new development into the existing Wells Place.

Birmingham-based Cordwell has confirmed it is currently finalising legal formalities with both a cinema and a hotel operator.

Eastleigh council leader Keith House said: "My congratulations go to the development team for all their hard work so far.

"This is a tremendously exciting project for Eastleigh and, hopefully, the first of a number of changes that will make the town more attractive with more facilities for all.

"We look forward to a successful completion and visiting Eastleigh's own cinema next year."