A LETTER of apology is set to be sent to the Co-op after it was accused of changing its plans for the future of shopping in Great Harwood.

But the man behind the verbal onslaught -- County Councillor George Slynn -- today stood by his outburst at the town's area council meeting and said he was just serving his residents.

Peter Clarke, vice chairman of the Great Harwood Area Council, said he was writing to Co-op representatives George Jones and Paul Griffiths who attended the February meeting of the area council to answer questions about the controversial supermarket development in the heart of the town.

Residents had expressed concern at a meeting last year that the Co-op appeared to have backed down on a decision to close its existing Late Shop in Glebe Street when the 25,000sq ft Queen Street superstore opens later this year. The new shop is to run alongside the existing store for at least 12 months.

Coun Slynn said he thought a gentleman's agreement had been decided on to close the smaller shop and splitting the premises into two separate units to ensure the firm didn't have a monopoly in the town.

County councillor Slynn -- who is a co-opted member of the area council, which is a borough committee -- accused the company of backing down on the agreement and of working against the best interest of residents in Great Harwood.

Today, Coun Clarke said: "I am writing to the two men to apologise for the abuse they suffered at the hands of Coun Slynn. It was unfair that these two men, who came out of their way to talk to residents, suffered such an outburst, which none of us found to be acceptable. "Coun Slynn's views were not representative of those of the people of Great Harwood and I feel it is a great shame that he made such personal attacks at what are very highly thought of meetings."

Coun Slynn was unrepentant: "They have backed down on an agreement they made and I cannot condone that.

"Someone needs to stand up and make sure the residents have a voice. We worked hard to bring a supermarket here and I will not let things go awry at such a late stage."

A Co-op spokesman said: "We are more than happy to come to future meetings to discuss any issues.