ONLY one man stood up in favour of the prison. Controversial Councillor Charles Grattan.

The Skerton ward councillor was not afraid to put his neck on the line and said he was a realist.

He said: "We have an opportunity to put £30 million into the economy. There's high unemployment in the area and for many people the prison would be an opportunity to get back into work.

"My only fear is that it's a three year temporary application. I'd like to see the proposal made long term. I understand it's unpopular but we have to be realistic.

"People object to a prison but they are quite prepared to live next to a power station, it's perverse."

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