THE laser light show planned for Southampton's civic centre has been scrapped, the Daily Echo can reveal.

The controversial plan to blast lasers into the night sky from the clock tower belfry has been snuffed out by new council bosses.

The so-called Southampton laser gateway project was already on hold for a series of trials in the autumn to test the impact of the green lasers.

These will not now go ahead, meaning the end of the lasers, say the council's controlling Conservative group.

The scheme sparked anger from astronomers, city residents and environmentalists as well as New Forest councillors, who were worried about intrusion from the beams.

Leisure chiefs hoped the lasers project would give Southampton a much sought after "wow factor", showcasing it as a city of "innovation and creativity".

Councillor Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, said: "It's the administration's policy not to proceed with it.

"Those trials are not going to go ahead.

"There was no public appetite to have the lasers. It was probably ill-conceived when you consider it was going to impact on our neighbouring authorities."