BLACKPOOL could be the site for a new IKEA store -- one of 20 stores to be built by the massive Swedish furniture company over the next ten years.

It is believed that the company is looking at land at Peel Hill, near the B&Q Superstore and the M55 in Blackpool.

A source has indicated that discussions are already under way for the company, famous for their low priced flat-pack furniture, to have a store close to the coast.

The nearest store at present is in Warrington.

The planning department at Fylde Borough Council, which is responsible for the land, said that it had not seen any plans for the store and had yet to be approached by IKEA.

However, an insider explained that large companies often have other companies acting on their behalf to avoid close rivals finding out future plans.

A spokesman for IKEA refused to rule out that a store was in the offing for Blackpool.

He said: "We have announced that these new stores will be built, but we have as yet to finalise the exact locations.

"For the first wave of construction our priority site is likely to be in Manchester.

"But we are certainly looking at many sites and I cannot rule out the possibility of a store being built in Blackpool."