A TESCO supermarket could be opened on the site of a former Kwik Save in Nelson, councillors were told.

Councillors at the Nelson committee meeting this week welcomed the plans for the Leeds Road site, saying that it would attract other big names to the town and help boost the economy.

Nelson Kwik Save closed during the summer after the chain went into administration.

Tesco used to have a store in the town in the Arndale Centre but that closed down in the 1990s.

Committee Chairman David Foster said: "Tesco's have been looking at the site. The last I heard was they were in negotiations with Kwik Save who own the site.

"If they do take it I think there is the possibility of it being a good thing for Nelson, it would be another empty store put back into use.

"The only other supermarket we have is Morrisons which is out of the centre. A supermarket in the centre of the town would attract people back into the centre which would have to be a good thing.

"Hopefully it would attract other named stores into the town as well.

"We need to get the store back in use and quickly."

Hanna Latty, town centre officer for the council, told the meeting: "Tescos have mentioned that they are interested in the site in the old Kwik Save building.

"Having big name stores invest money into the town will encourage other stores to come forward and do the same.

"It shows residents and traders that large companies are confident in Nelson's future ."

Tesco is also looking at opening another store in Pendle. A planning application for a 35,000 square foot Tesco store on the site of Glen Mill, North Valley Road was submitted to Pendle Council earlier in the year.

Tesco were unavailable for comment on the latest plans.