STEVEN SPIELBERG - SPIELBERG TO TACKLE BAYWATCH THE MOVIE?

Legendary movie-maker STEVEN SPIELBERG is being linked to a forthcoming movie version of cult TV show BAYWATCH.

The lighthearted lifeguard drama attracted massive worldwide audiences in the 1990s largely thanks to its cast of scantily clad blondes and muscular hunks - former 'Baywatch Babes' include PAMELA ANDERSON, CARMEN ELECTRA, TRACI BINGHAM, YASMIN BLEETH and GINA LEE NOLIN.

Plans for a big screen version have been discussed in the past, with the show's star DAVID HASSELHOFF keen to be involved.

But now Spielberg, whose heavyweight film credits include SAVING PRIVATE RYAN and SCHINDLER'S LOST, has reportedly secured the movie rights from Baywatch co-creator GREG BONANN and has put the project in his diary for 2006.

According to PAGESIX.COM, the director wants to "work on something frothy and entertaining".