Three consortia with prestigious names behind them have submitted proposals for the redevelopment of the King Alfred leisure centre in Brighton.

One bid is from Barratt Southern Counties and Brunswick Developments with Wilkinson Eyre Architects, sports centre architect Stephen Limbrick and housing architects Acanthus, Lawrence and Wrightson.

Another is from Countryside Properties with the Richard Rodgers Partnership, Arup Associates and sports centre architects S&P.

The third is from Karis and ING with Frank Gehry & Partners, CZWG, sports centre architects HOK Sports+Venue+Event and sculptor Antony Gormley.

Berkeley Homes, which initially expressed an interest, has decided not to bid.

Mr Gormley designed the Angel Of The North statue while Frank Gehry was responsible for the Guggenheim Museum in Spain. Lord Rodgers designed the Pompidou Centre in Paris.

The council has said it would like to see a new leisure centre funded by hundreds of homes.

No further details or drawings are being released until a public exhibition at the King Alfred from March 8 to 12 and at Hove Town Hall from March 13 to 17.

The council will be evaluating bids during the next few months, including assessing design quality, sustainability, the quality of sports facilities plus financial and legal issues.

It will make a decision in May or June, after which a planning application will be made.

Councillor Mike Middleton, who chaired the King Alfred task group, said: "We are very excited to get concrete proposals from these three strong bidders.

"People will be able to have their say on the designs at the public exhibition. The debate is sure to generate huge interest."