SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury's has unveiled plans to build a store in Westhoughton.

Bosses have confirmed the company's interest in opening a store, with the Westhoughton Cricket Club ground understood to be the likely location.

They say the branch would be a full-size store rather than a smaller Sainsbury's Local, but they have yet to decide on the size and number of jobs likely to be created.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "We are interested in having a store in Westhoughton. We believe a new Sainsbury's in Westhoughton will offer improved quality and choice in food shopping for the town.

"But before we submit our planning application, we're keen to know what local people think of our proposals.

"At the moment, we are in discussions to bring forward a full consultation plan and will announce dates and times as soon as they are finalised."

The cricket club, in Cricketers Way, wanted to sell its ground to Bellway Homes three years ago and has planning permission to move to playing fields at The Hoskers.

But the move fell through in January, 2004, when Bolton Council refused to allow 80 homes to be built at the site.

Now the move could be back on, subject to approval of the Sainsbury's plans, which are yet to be submitted.

Cricket club secretary Tony Sharples said: "Our plans have not changed. If planning permission is granted for our land we will enter negotiations about moving.

"We would not move until the new ground was ready, though, and that could take more than 12 months."

Westhoughton is served by a Co-Op in Pavilion Square and a Co-Op Late Shop in Market Street. There are Asda and Tesco stores at Middlebrook, a Tesco in Hindley and Asda and Sainsbury's stores in Leigh.

Westhoughton South ward coucillor Julia Silvester said: "As Liberal Democrats we are interested in this proposition but would want to see the detailed plans. One of our leaflets recently asked for the public's view on a new supermarket opening and the overwhelming response was in favour.

"I'm in favour of increasing the market mix in Westhoughton because there are a lot of families and a lot of new homes have been built. New jobs are always needed.

"But I'm also in favour of safeguarding the interests of local traders, whom I hope the company will include in the public consultation."

But Labour town councillor David Chadwick, who is chairman of the Bolton branch of the Campaign To Protect Rural England and pressure group Save Westhoughton Act Now, said: "I'm absolutely appalled by the idea - this is recreation land.

"We will discuss it at tonight's SWAN meeting. The last thing Westhoughton needs is more building, which will increase traffic.

"There are enough supermarkets in the borough and this would hit smaller traders in the town."