BURNLEY planning bosses have dispelled rumours that a casino for the town is on the cards.

Reports in the UK highlighted Burnley as a location earmarked by gambling firms.

But council chiefs said today there were no applications in the pipeline for a casino.

Planning permission was granted two years ago for one in the former courthouse in Bankhouse Street.

But that building is to be pulled down as part of the massive development of Curzon Street and the plans have been abandoned.

The controversy over casinos follows the Government's decision to bring planned new gambling laws before Parliament in its next session.

The Gaming Bill would open the way for Las Vegas-style establishments across the country.

The man behind the courthouse plans was Burnley businessman and major Clarets shareholder John Turkington.

And the head of bakery equipment manufacturer J F Turkington (Engineers), Widow Hill Road, said today he would apply for a gambling licence if the court building was not demolished for any reason.

He added: "I would definitely turn the courthouse into a casino if I could get a gaming licence, notwithstanding the compulsory purchase order on the building."

There used to be two casinos in Burnley, one at the Mechanics and one at the former Cabaret Club, in Rosegrove, although these had both closed in the late 1960s or early 1970s.