SHOPPING centre bosses have revealed that they are just weeks away from finalising £15million expansion plans in a bid to 'fight back' against retail parks and other town centres.

Bosses at the Arndale Centre, Accrington, said the development could include a new supermarket.

And they said that architects from Sainsbury's had already visited the site to draw up plans.

Ray James, asset manager at the Arndale, said that plans, including an 80,000sq/ft shop, could be submitted to Hyndburn Council for approval within a month.

And spokesman for Sainsbury's said the company was "very interested in finding a location in the town" and was keen to begin talks with the Arndale, although stressed they were looking at other local sites.

The proposal could spark "supermarket wars" in Accrington because Tesco has submitted a planning application for a site on the edge of the town centre, in Eagle Street, and the town centre already has its own Asda.

Mr James said: "People are not coming to Accrington town centre to do their shopping at the moment. They go to Preston, Blackburn, or Manchester.

"If Sainsbury's came to the Arndale it would generate tremendous footfall for other shops in the town and provide a great boost.

"It would also attract other retailers to the area. The benefit to the local economy would be huge."

Mr James said that the expansion of the shopping centre would be from the 12-floor multi-storey car park towards the viaduct roundabout.

The Accrington town centre "masterplan", currently on display in the town, has recently been completed and recommends possible changes to the viaduct roundabout which would accommodate the expansion of the shopping centre.

There is also a planned expansion of the floor space to several shops that back onto Cobden Street, including the units occupied by Iceland and WHSmith.

Currently around 12,000 car "movements" take place at the Arndale Centre car park each week. Figures from Tesco state that they expect 30,000 cars to come in and out of their new store car park each week.

President of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade Ian Smith said that the plans were "worrying" because of the increase in competition from supermarkets in the area.

But Hyndburn Council leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe, said: "I am delighted that there is interest in investing in Accrington.

"I can't comment on specific planning applications, but anything that helps to develop the town centre is to be welcomed."