SOLICITORS firm Paris Smith & Randall is to host the first major conference to be held at Southampton Football Club's new stadium in St Mary's on Friday September 7.

Entitled "City of Southampton - leading the South", speakers are to include Andrew Cowan, managing director of the club, James MacPherson, senior investment manager at Merrill Lynch, Chris Elliott, head of marketing and events at Southampton City Council and Linda Mitchell, head of diversity at the BBC.

The presenters will be Julian Clegg and Roger Johnson of BBC Radio Solent and Paris Smith & Randall senior partner, Malcolm Le Bas. The conference will be held in the executive conference area at the stadium.

Having recently enjoyed a guided tour of the stadium, Mr Le Bas said: "It is a magnificent stadium and will give the area a great boost. We are grateful to the club for allowing us to host the first major conference there."