The favoured scheme includes a public ice rink and 7,500-seat arena

Councillors will on Tuesday be asked to choose between two multi-million pound proposals for the two-acre Black Rock site next to the marina.

The plan favoured in a report to Brighton and Hove City Council is for an Olympic-sized public ice rink and a 7,500-seat indoor arena.

The second option for the site, put forward by rival bidders RH Partnership with Rocco Forte, proposes a 150-room, five star hotel with a spa, winter gardens and biodome.

We felt on balance the arena and ice rink would bring the best overall benefit to the city Sue John, deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council

Council officers said they had decided to support the Brighton International Arena (BIA) bid because it would best enhance the city as a regional, national and international venue.

They also hoped it would attract investment and would have spin-off benefits for tourism, business and the quality of life of Brighton residents.

The scheme could also help regenerate East Brighton, council officers said.

The BIA project is expected to inject an estimated �7.7m annually into the economy, compared to �6.3m for the hotel complex.

The hotel scheme includes a luxury spa complex and winter gardens

The arena would host ice-skating events as well as other sports, exhibitions and shows.

Champion ice skaters Jayne Torvill and Robin Cousins, who are backing the scheme, have proposed setting up an ice dancing school.

Deputy council leader Sue John said: "Top cities like Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham have big, modern multi-purpose arenas and we need our own to compete.

"Both were exciting bids but we felt on balance the arena and ice rink would bring the best overall benefit to the city.

"But it's vital the arena scheme sustains itself financially as there is no prospect of a concil subsidy."

Councillors on the policy and resources committee will make their final decision on Tuesday.