A national hotel chain and a multi-screen cinema operator are set to form part of the multi-million pound Eastern Gateway development in Llanelli, South Wales.

Legal agreements are currently being finalised between Carmarthenshire County Council (CCC) and the two companies, which are expected to be named next month. A planning application for the development, which also includes restaurants, bars and retail outlets, is due to be submitted before Christmas after the council decided to invest millions of pounds into the project.

It is hoped that the project will regenerate Llanelli town centre, and a consultation will be held shortly to gather views from councillors, politicians and a number of local organisations, including the Chamber of Trade and the Town Centre Action Group and Forum. CCC leader, Meryl Gravell, said: "The two anchor stores are committed to this scheme and the matter is being handled by solicitors at the moment. We expect to be able to announce their names shortly.

"A lot of interest is being shown from other leisure operators, such as for bars and restaurants, and we are confident to have lots of good news for Llanelli town centre in the very near future."