A BLACKPOOL minister has slammed the Bishop of Blackburn's recent comments on resort casinos.

Bishop Alan Chesters called casino developments in the town "the lesser of two evils" following a fact-finding trip to Biloxi in the USA.

But the Rev Tim Widdess, of North Shore Methodist Church -- who is also chairman of BCAGE (Blackpool Coalition Against Gambling Expansion) -- said: "I am worried by accepting an evil, even a lesser evil, as the means to achieve good.

"Anyone who has seen the film Lord of The Rings will have noticed how the the heroes Gandalf and Galadriel refused to use the power of the evil ring.

"They did so because despite their ambition to do good with it, the evil means would ultimately corrupt them to its evil ends.

"I do not believe the resort casinos will regenerate anything but the sites they stand on and the coffers of the companies that will run them.

'It's time for the good people in Blackpool to speak up for the sort of town they want."

This comes as the Hilton Hotel on Blackpool Promenade announces plans to turn itself into a casino within five years of the expected deregulation of the gambling industry.

Hilton sold off its Ladbrokes casinos to Gala in December, 2000, but chief executive David Michels stated the company is prepared to consider a joint venture with the casino operator.

The 274-bedroom hotel is just one of the company's locations that would be transformed into Las Vegas-style venues if they are given the green light from the Government.

The controversial Budd report, which covers the gaming industry laws, will be reviewed by the Government next month but legislation is unlikely before 2004.