WORK on the redevelopment of Newport's Cambrian Centre is due to start this summer.

The re-development includes a 27-storey block of apartments, a hotel with more than 100 beds, 67,000 sq ft of office space, and a bigger car park.

These images show how the redevelopment, which has full planning permission, will offer a new 'gateway' to the city to people arriving from the train station.

Grahame Roth, of developer Goldtique, said: "We are now close to achieving the first tangible result of Newport Unlimited's masterplan and will be pressing ahead to make a start on construction of this important project early in the summer of 2005." Mr Roth hopes the building can be completed in 2006. The existing car park and centre will be demolished, but some retail units on Cambrian Road will be kept.

The redevelopment is part of the masterplan to transform Newport by 2020 through new houses, shops and businesses.

It is hoped that the new tower will create another landmark in Newport - to complement the new theatre, SDR bridge and planned footbridge over the Usk.

Councillor Bob Bright, leader of the council, said: "Improving the retail environment and business growth in the city is one of the key priorities contained in the council's draft community strategy.

"The redevelopment of the Cambrian Centre will play a key role in achieving these aims."