FALLING numbers of visitors could spark a major facelift for Weymouth Harbour.

Councillors are being urged to back a bold vision for the future.

Significant investment in the harbour would be needed to keep up with the competition and attract more business into the town.

The last financial year saw a 10 per cent drop in visiting yachts to Weymouth Harbour and, with future marinas planned for the Weymouth Pavilion site and Portland Harbour, there is an urgent need to address the downward trend.

Officers from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have drawn up a blueprint for the future that considers options such as a floating casino or restaurant. Other proposals include greater publicity to attract more visiting yachts and an increase in harbour space to accommodate them.

The plans come with a warning that the whole of Weymouth could be hit if one of the harbour's key players, Condor Ferries, pulls out of town.

The report, which will be considered by the council's harbour management committee next week, says: "The initial objective of this plan is to increase the direct income to the harbour.

"There is, however, a significantly larger benefit to the borough in terms of income from tourism, the income of commercial harbour-based businesses and income from employment".

It adds: "It is likely that the Olympics will result in increased business for Weymouth Harbour, but there could also be a new marina as part of the ferry terminal/Pavilion development.

"It is therefore important the harbour gets itself into shape in terms of facilities, image and any increase in demand, in order to meet these and other future challenges".

The report goes on to highlight the potential loss of Condor Ferries, which has been put up for sale by its parent company, and claims it would have a damaging effect on the whole of Weymouth.

It says: "The demise of the Condor would probably have a serious impact on the economy of the borough generally, not least of which would be the loss of the number of jobs".