THIS is the first glimpse of what a proposed new multi-million pound supermarket in East Lancashire could look like.

It comes after around 150 residents attended a special meeting to discuss unpopular plans to build a new Tesco in Great Harwood.

Residents and business owners packed into Bank Mill House, Church Street, claiming the supermarket would destroy the town's independent trade.

The proposals have caused controversy since the idea was first put forward early this year, after land developers Hunterswalk approached Tesco.

Residents pressed for a public meeting to discuss the plans, organised by Great Harwood Area Council.

Tesco wants to build a 45,000sq ft store on the current site of the Metflex rubber mouldings factory in Queen Street.

Paul Whitehead, of Whitehead's Convenience Stores, which has two branches in Great Harwood, has vowed to fight the plans for the store and accompanying car park.

Mr Whitehead, whose company has been in business since 1962, claimed the arrival of a Tesco store in Haslingden had a negative effect on his branch there, as well as on other local shops.

Speaking at the meeting, he said: "Will Tesco help the people who can't sell their houses round there?

"House prices have already fallen by 10 per cent as a result of this application."

Tesco bosses hit back and claimed the store was actually being used to help market properties for sale in other parts of the country.

Other residents said they were worried about increased traffic flow and the affect it would have on the trade of local shops.

Mr Whitehead added: "I have got a store in Haslingden where Tesco opened two years ago.

"In that two years there has been five new shutters that are permanently down on stores in the town centre.

"We have 29 takeaways causing havoc which are open until the early hours in the morning.

"The same will happen in Great Harwood if this store opens."

Great Harwood resident David Short asked if there would be plans to upgrade the pedestrian route along Queen Street.

He said it was currently a "minefield" for residents trying to cross the road.

Tony Fletcher, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, assured residents that the matter would now be taken into consideration.

Tesco has classed the proposed new store as 'medium-sized' and anticipates that it will create around 150 jobs in the area.

Before submitting plans to the council, it held an exhibition in February to showcase its proposals.