BLACKPOOL has been given the big thumbs up for the forthcoming Conservative party conference and told it will take place as scheduled next month.

Hoteliers and businesses in and around the resort breathed a huge sigh of relief when the Tory central office in London confirmed to The Citizen that the conference, on October 8, would be going ahead following fears that it might be cancelled in the wake of the New York disaster and heightened terrorism concerns.

On Tuesday new leader Iain Duncan Smith was reported to be "keeping the conference situation under review".

The Winter Gardens conference is set to begin on October 8 as originally planned and as always is expected to bring enormous benefits to the town in terms of national publicity and cash flow.

Fylde Conservative MP Michael Jack was extremely pleased with the revelation.

"I am absolutely delighted and it is great news for Blackpool," he said. "Delegates enjoy coming here as it is such good value for money compared with the south.

"However, although I am reassured by their confirmation I am also conscious that things could change by the time the conference is due to occur."

Blackpool's head of tourism Jane Seddon said: "We are obviously working very closely with the Conservative party central office and the confidence that they are currently showing by saying it will go ahead is very encouraging.

"Furthermore, at no point had any of the expected delegates cancelled their reservations at the resorts hotels and guest houses.

"We are looking forward to welcoming all the delegates to what we know will be a successful event to the town."

She also went on to explain that if the measure to cancel the event were to come into effect it would be a decision that had not been taken lightly.

"If it is cancelled because of current world events, we would have to realise the bigger picture involved and understand that it would be for a very serious and valid reason. I am sure that Blackpool is sensitive enough to understand this."