TWO huge conglomerates are locked in a "store wars" controversy which could affect the future of Accrington town centre.

Peel Holdings has revived its plan to expand the Whitebirk retail park on the Hyndburn-Blackburn boundary.

But Protego Real Estate Investors, owner of the Arndale Centre, says it would kill off the town centre and has put forward its own alternative proposals for expansion.

The Whitebirk scheme was withdrawn two years ago before it went to planners.

At the time Peel Holdings pledged to attract big High Street names such as Next and create 250 jobs.

Crucial to the plan's success is the council agreeing to drop the current restriction which prevents the retail park selling clothes and foodstuffs.

Its current stores mainly trade in "white goods" and carpets.

Raymond James, director and asset manager of investment firm Protego, has already written to Hyndburn Council objecting to the scheme.

He said: "If the application to turn Whitebirk into a major retail park goes through it will basically be the death of the town centre."

He is backed by Hyndburn Chamber of Trade which fears it could have the same negative knock-on effect that Deepdale Retail Centre has had on Preston.

Its president Michael Whewell said: "When Whitebirk first opened, all the electrical stores moved out of the town centre and into the retail park so there is now nowhere customers can buy TVs in town."

Mr Whewell fears some of the current retailers in the town centre including Marks and Spencer's and Boots might not renew their leases on their stores in the Arndale Centre as their current leases expire in the next three years.

He said: "If the Whitebirk plan goes ahead retailers may find they have no need for shops in the Arndale."

A representative of the PPS Group, commenting on behalf of Peel Holdings, said: "Extensive public consultation has been carried out regarding the Whitebirk retail park application and 90 per cent of Hyndburn residents consulted were in support of the scheme.

"No evidence has ever been advanced to support claims that harm will be brought to Accrington town centre as a result of the application. In fact the proposals are aimed at assisting Hyndburn in competing with surrounding centres."