BURNLEY area shoppers have been given a direct link to one of Europe's largest retail parks - with Stagecoach offering a bus service to Manchester's massive new Trafford Centre.

But an official responsible for the commercial life of Burnley was in a bullish and defiant mood in the face of this potentially damaging threat.

Town centre manager Carl Speight did not fear competition from the multi million pound development and vowed to beat the threat by making local shopping areas more attractive.

Lancashire county transport bosses have given Stagecoach the go-ahead to extend the popular daily X43 Keighley - Burnley - Manchester service to the Trafford Centre which opens next Thursday for just 25p extra on normal fares.

But Mr Speight did not envisage bus-loads of local shoppers flocking to the centre.

"In an ideal world Stagecoach would not be doing this. But what we have to do is offer something just as attractive and competitive so that people shop in Burnley, ignore the service and it becomes unviable."

He said that all was not rosy at Trafford which faced major traffic congestion, empty units and the fact that the key Selfridge's store would not open on time.

"A lot of people will go there once, but not twice," he said.

Mr Speight added: "They may have big name stores, but we have too. And we have a Marks and Spencer, which they don't. "We also have the local specialist shops and a much more attractive shopping environment."

Mr Speight said multi million pounds developments under way in the centre would add to the local attractions.

"I think Burnley is already strong and will get stronger and well able to compete."

In Nelson, Town Centre Forum chairman Tony Beckett predicted "horrendous" traffic problems at the Trafford Centre.

"We cannot do anything about Stagecoach but we can encourage people to stay in town.

"The Trafford Centre won't help us but I don't think it will make a huge difference."

In Rossendale, which is also on the X43 route, Chamber of Trade president Tony Winder felt the area's free parking policy would work against the Valley.

"People will be able to park free in Rawtenstall and take the Stagecoach bus to Trafford Park," he said.

A Stagecoach spokesman said the X43 was an existing economic service which was simply being extended.

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