PLANS for a news superstore will turn Great Harwood into a 'ghost town' if given the go-ahead, according to a leading local retailer.

Hyndburn Borough Council has now received official plans from Tesco for a 45,000sq ft store on the current site of the Metflex rubber mouldings factory in Queen Street.

The proposals have caused controversy since the idea of a supermarket was first put forward early this year, after land developers Hunter's Walk approached Tesco.

Residents pressed for a public meeting to discuss the plans, but councillors said this was not possible as nothing had been officially submitted.

Paul Whitehead, of Whitehead's Convenience Stores, which has two branches in Great Harwood, has vowed to fight the plans for the store and accompanying car park.

Mr Whitehead, whose company has been in operation since 1962, said the arrival of a Tesco store in Haslingden had had a negative effect on his branch there, as well as on other local shops.

It has disrupted the town centre and it will do the same to Great Harwood - it will become a ghost town," he said.

"Tesco will argue that it will bring more customers to the area for other shops.

"Twenty years ago it just sold food. Now it sells electric items, clothes, books, insurance.

"It is a one-stop shop and will take custom away from other local businesses.

"It is like a monster that eats everything up around it."

Tesco has classed the proposed new store as medium-sized' and anticipates that it will create around 320 jobs in the area.

Before submitting plans to the council, it held an exhibition in February to showcase its proposals to residents.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: "We were very pleased with the response we had.

"Generally people were in favour of the store."