Associated British Ports (ABP) has revealed it is currently "unable" to provide a long-term lease for the Southampton waterfront site earmarked for a new £8m transport museum.

The Aeronautica development was to be located in the ABP-owned Southampton Docks, but it has now been reported that Red Funnel ferry operations could move to the site instead.

According to the BBC, the new attraction was to include maritime, aviation and other transport-related exhibits, while the city's heritage boats would have been moored alongside the building.

However, ABP confirmed it was not in a position to offer the lease to the site until it had been given more information about local authority plans for the waterfront and Royal Pier site.

An ABP spokesperson said: "We have informed Aeronautica that we are unable to progress a long-term lease for the site until we have had clarity from Southampton City Council over its long-term plans regarding Southampton waterfront and the Royal Pier."

Details: www.bbc.co.uk