A NEW supermarket in Pendle could mean traffic chaos, residents have claimed.

Barrowford people got their first look at the plans for a new Booths superstore which has been proposed for the site of a demolished care home between John Street and Halsteads Lane. The former Park Mill would also be demolished, to make way for a car park.

The 13,000 sq ft supermarket would be on three levels, with car parking on the ground floor. But most of those who visited the exhibition were hostile to the move, mainly because of the increased traffic, which they say will add to the extra cars expected when Nelson and Colne College expands next year, while others said there was no need for another large food store.

Louise Frankland, of Cairns Close, Barrowford, said: "When you drive past the Spar shop on a Friday the traffic is just awful, and that's before we get the college there or a new big supermarket.

"I don't think the plan fits in with Barrowford and I don't think we need a supermarket. We have got a Morrisons in Nelson and an Asda in Colne and the Tesco and Sainsbury's aren't far away in Burnley. This really isn't good for local shops."

A Foulridge woman, who asked not to be named, echoed the comments about the design of the shop, and said it would be much better off in Colne, where there is a ready-made supermarket and car park, which was left when Kwik Save moved out.

She said: "The winner for them will be that it will create more jobs, but do we really need them in Barrowford?"

Representatives from Booths were at the exhibition, and Tracy Hargreaves, from the firm, said any comments on question-naires would be taken into account.

She said: "It has been great to talk with people in Barrowford and listen to their comments, concerns and reservations."