A new hotel for Belfast city centre has been granted proposed planning approval.

The 130-bedroom building in Great Victoria Street could provide up to 60 jobs.

Department of Environment planning officials will seek the views of Belfast City Council at a meeting on Thursday.

Planning Minister Alex Attwood said: "A new hotel in Great Victoria Street would be a real boost to the tourist industry here, while creating work for the construction sector."

He added: "It would also bring back life to an area which is currently under-used, transforming a car park into an attractive tourist attraction in the heart of the city and improving the Great Victoria Street skyline."

The new hotel would be built in a car park adjacent to Sandy Row, close to the Great Victoria Street railway station.