PLANS to create a luxury hotel, flats and offices on a riverbank in Paisley town centre look set to be given the go-ahead today.

The £30million project will see a 139-bedroom hotel, 26 designer apartments and 70,000sq ft of office space built next to the White Cart river.

The four-star hotel - which would be the first in the town - has been earmarked for land close to Gilmour Street train station and will have a roof-top bar.

Builder McGarvey Construction Scotland isbehind plans to transform the vacant site, which borders New Sneddon Street, Christie Lane, and Niddry Street.

The seven-storey complex will include a gym and conference facilities.

Councillors in Renfrewshire were to vote on the proposals today but planning officials have already backed the project.

Bob Darracott, director of planning and transport, said the project had the potential to be a "catalyst for a business zone".

Regeneration group Paisley Vision, set up to encourage private firms to invest in the town, said the plans were "incredibly exciting" when lodged in September.

A spokesman for McGarvey Construction Scotland said: "We think this is a really exciting development."