LLANELLI is to become a magnet for soccer stars and celebrities under exciting plans unveiled by football personality Robbie Savage.

The 39-time capped former Wales international and BBC Five Live radio presenter has snapped up 70 acres of land near Ffos Las racecourse and last week submitted plans for a 35-bed hotel and a 60 to 70-seater restaurant and bar.

And that's just the start, with long-term hopes of further investment, including the prospect of a football academy.

Stuart Owen, a partner at Owen Banks Planning and Development, which is handling the application, said: "Robbie has great contacts with many leading names in the footballing world, and he has a close personal friendship with Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini.

"As a result, it shouldn't be underestimated that this will bring a great deal of wealth to the area."

Robbie has teamed up for the venture with Llanelli businessman and friend Tony Quaglia, a former equipment manager and sports nutritionist for the Welsh national side who has also worked with a number of top clubs.

Mr Owen continued: "Robbie is a Welsh lad and was naturally attracted to the area. He enjoys racing himself, saw the success of Ffos Las and has been very taken by the ambition of the county council and what they are trying to do.

"He saw the chance for not only a commercial opportunity, but also to give a great boost to the area."

The Llety Ffos Las project will involve knocking down an existing dwelling, stables and outbuildings.

Although plans are still in their early stages and there is no estimate on when construction will begin, tens of thousands of pounds have already been invested in the development which is likely to bring between 25 and 35 jobs to the area.

"The first aim is to get planning consent and my understanding is that once that is sorted, an operator will be brought in to work on and develop things," said Mr Owen.

"And this development is just taking up a small amount of the land.

"There is masses of room for more expansion and loads of ideas floating around, including a footballing academy in the future."

The development will be sure to complement the racecourse on its doorstep.

"It will be great publicity and promotion for the area," Mr Owen said.

"Full credit must go to The Walters Group and the council who have done a fantastic job and this will certainly reinforce the attraction of Ffos Las.

"There has never quite been a facility as close as to it than this and it will help boost tourism.

"Don't underestimate the pub and restaurant either, with a planning application gone in for 400 houses at Carway this will be a great facility for that community and Trimsaran."

To catch the first glimpse of how the development will look, see next week's Star.