Bosses at Daniel Thwaites have pledged their new state-of-the-art brewery site will be in ‘the Blackburn area’ although no location has yet been found.

Yesterday, the brewery announced it is planning to leave the town centre after more than 200 years — with plans for Sainsbury's to take over the site.

Thwaites' chief executive Richard Bailey said: “We want to stay in Blackburn.

"We have a long history in Blackburn, but we have not yet been able to publicly look for sites.

“At this stage it is too early to say where we will find a new base but we will work with Blackburn with Darwen Council to find the best site."

Council leader Kate Hollern said: “Thwaites is an iconic brand that is part of Blackburn's proud history so we will be working very closely with them to find an alternative site to invest."

Jack Straw, Blackburn MP, said: “I know Daniel Thwaites will have the full support of the council in finding new local premises so they can stay in the town.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Graham Burgess said: “I think they want to stay here and we want them to stay here.

"We have got a good relationship with them.

“Thwaites and Blackburn are synonymous and we need to preserve that."

Coun Mike Lee, leader of the opposition, said: “As long as they remain in the Blackburn with Darwen area then it’s ok.

"If they were to leave the borough it would be a major issue, a serious issue.”