STORE wars have broken out in Blackburn after bosses from one cut-price firm demanded action be taken to stop a rival firm from moving into the town.

But councillors are set to approve Scandinavian food giant Netto's plans for a former car showroom despite KwikSave's protest but only if it pays for a new piece of public art in Blackburn town centre.

Consultants working on behalf of KwikSave, which was the first cut-price food chain to open up in Blackburn when it moved into Hollin Bridge Street, have sent a five-page dossier to the council explaining why Netto should be refused permission to open up.

Developers Henry Boot, of Manchester, have applied for permission to demolish the old Sanderson Ford building in Montague Street and replace it with a new supermarket. KwikSave's consultants are opposing the project on the grounds that it will have a detrimental effect on the town centre, and that if the firm is intent on moving to Blackburn they should take up a site within the town centre, such as vacant land in Cicely Lane, Blackburn.

But rival supermarket Lidl already owns that land, and even went as far as getting planning permission to build on it.

A condition on the planning permission was that the firm must contribute to highways improvements to support the extra flow of traffic to the site

It resulted in Lidl ditching its plans and acquire permission for a new site in Whalley Banks. Claims by the consultants that there is no need for a second discount supermarket in the Bank Top area are rejected by planning officers in their report to councillors.

This is because, according to the report, the new Netto would attract a lot of shoppers on foot from Blackburn College while Lidl will benefit from passing car trade in Whalley Banks.

If Netto was given planning permission it would mean KwikSave would be competing against three cut-price food stores. In addition to the proposed Netto and the semi-built Lidl, there is an Aldi near Ewood Park.

Officers have recommended that approval should come on the condition that the firm stumps up the cost of a new piece of public art.

It would be sited in a prominent location near the junction of Montague Street and the new Barbara Castle Way extension, work on which began this month.

Today, Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: "I am very disappointed with KwikSave.

"If anything, they are the out- of-town retailer."

Netto today declined to comment. Nobody at KwikSave could be contacted for comment.