CRYSTAL Wharf or Castle Wharf? The Waterfront or The Waterside?

These are some of the options Newport residents can choose when naming the city's £15.5m theatre and arts centre (pictured).

When plans for the cultural centre on the banks of the Usk were unveiled, the council called on the public to suggest names.

The 10 best ideas, listed above, were picked from a pile of replies and now the council is asking people to select their preferred name before the centre opens in the autumn.

Some names reflect the city's past (Moderator Wharf was the former name of the site) while others, such as The Quays, have a more contemporary feel.

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for culture and recreation, urged people to pick their favourite.

He said: "The venue will provide something for everyone, from professional productions to community activities, and will enhance the city's current arts provision immeasurably.

"Newport has an existing, vibrant arts community and the building will ensure this continues."

The Arts Council of Wales gave a grant of £8.5m towards the building, which will include a sub-terranean gallery to house the mediaeval ship.

The centre is on schedule to open on time, but Newport council still has not appointed an arts manager to oversee preparations for the opening and running the centre, despite advertising the post four times.

It is also looking for a programming manager and advertising manager. A marketing manager starts work on January 19.

Councillor Glyn Jarvis said finding an arts leader, to be based at the civic centre, was proving difficult because too little pay was being offered.

He said: "Other areas (in the UK) are offering a lot more money than we are. Good arts managers are very few and far between.

"People who have come forward haven't been of the right calibre. "We want to increase the grade of salary offered for the post.

"It's important to the arts centre. That role will bring many users and acts together, from amateur groups to professionals."

The council has called on arts consultants Matthews Millman to put together an outline programme for opening night.

The consultants have also reviewed the business case for the centre.

A spokesman for the £104m Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff said a team of 25 were planning opening night there in November, and were even drawing up events for the first two years.

l Votes for a name can be sent to a freepost address: Newport City Council, FREEPOST SWC2740, Arts Development Team, Newport, NP20 4ZZ.