Actress Cate Blanchett may soon be practising her pool skills when a private members' club opens in Brighton this year.

The Lord Of The Rings star, who owns a Regency apartment in Kemp Town, has put down her name for membership at The Media Pool.

She is one of 400 people interested in signing up for the club, a three-storey venue on the site of the old music library in Church Street aimed at journalists, musicians, writers and artists.

As well as wireless technology for working on laptops, a members' lounge, bar and restaurant, architects are also planning a trendy pool table area on the first floor.

Other entertainment will include film screenings while drinks can be ordered by text message. There are also plans for a terrace and bar area for non-members.

The £1.5 million project is the idea of former musician Tony Martin, who has worked with U2, Madonna and members of the Manchester music scene.

The 41-year-old businessman's first choice of venue was a disused warehouse off Duke Street but then he spotted the Church Street premises.

He preferred the 80-year-old building and snapped up the lease. The Church Street venue will cater for up to 1,000 members.

There will be a two-tier system of membership. Brighton and Hove residents will be charged £500 to join, with added perks, while people living outside pay £300 for membership but without the perks.