DOUBTS have been cast over the future of Asda in Fleetwood by a Labour councillor following a political scrap over the development.

Coun Keith Riley, leader of the opposition Labour group, hit back this week at comments made by the Conservative council leader, Coun Alan Vincent, that Labour had been hostile to the planned Asda development on land at Cop Lane behind Dock Street, Fleetwood.

Coun Riley said: "To suggest that the Labour councillors have been standing in the way of the Asda development beggars belief. Have I not called for the development to start as soon as possible?

"The Labour group, with the Fleetwood people, wanted Morrisons. We did not get it but had to make the best of a bad job."

But he said he was most concerned about recent comments made by Coun Vincent that Labour was "playing petty party politics with jobs" and that "continued delays may in the end drive Asda away."

Coun Riley said: "He seems to be hinting that if Asda do not come we are to blame. Michael Brown, Wyre borough's chief executive said only last week Asda were still fully committed to Fleetwood. Now Coun Vincent is saying 'if'. Surely they should be singing from the same hymn sheet?"

But Coun Vincent dismissed the notion that Asda wasn't fully committed and that he and the chief executive were contradicting each other. He added: "I am fully satisfied that Asda are committed to developing the store at this point in time."