BURY South MP Ivan Lewis has welcomed news that retail giant Marks and Spencer might move into Prestwich.

As reported exclusively in the Bury Times, the business has expressed an interest in building a food store on the site of the Grimshaws Vauxhall Dealership.

If the plan gets the go-ahead the venture would be part of a small retail development situated on the corner of Fairfax Road and Bury New Road proposed by Derbyshire-based company Peveril Securities Ltd.

Mr Lewis said: "I am delighted such a large, well established retailer as Marks and Spencer is considering investing in Prestwich. "This is exactly the sort of retailer that Prestwich needs and proves that Prestwich can become the vibrant town centre we all want to see."

But he called on Peveril to look at the wider issue of traffic problems and to consider other shops in the Longfield Centre.

He added: "This application also gives the council and the potential developer the opportunity to resolve some of the traffic management and highways issues on Fairfax and Highfield Roads.

"I would also like to see better linkage between the site and the Longfield Centre."

Marks and Spencer was named as one of the potential occupiers for the development, which is the second application to be submitted to Bury Council, but a spokesman for Peveril stressed that a deal had not yet been signed with the company.

Mr Lewis added: "I understand that the deal is not yet completed, so I would urge all those involved to act in a sensitive and diplomatic manner so that matters can proceed as soon as possible."