Shipley residents have vowed to fight an 'undemocratic' decision to open a supermarket around the clock.

Lisa Clover, provisions manager at the Shipley Asda store, revealed at last night's neighbourhood forum meeting that the store will open 24 hours from Monday to Friday.

Opposition to the move ran high, with 37 out of the 38 residents at the meeting informally voting against the plan.

Henry Coles, who lives in Cross Banks, Shipley, said: "May I suggest you do the democratic thing and put it to a referendum.

"You need to refer to all the people in this area who would be affected by 24-hour opening.

"Let's be democratic about this for a change and ask the people that it will affect."

Bill Lister, of Hall Royd, Shipley, questioned the legality of the new opening hours.

"When that lease was granted no one in their right mind would think of opening a store 24 hours a day," he said.

Miss Clover was at the meeting in place of store manager Andy Huntley who was unable to attend for personal reasons.

She promised to pass on all concerns to him.

Residents pledegd to write to Asda's head office to express their anger over the new hours which are expected to start from March 3.

The Manor Lane shop will also be undergoing a major £4 million refurbishment in September.

Councillor David Ford (Green, Shipley West) said the store should consult local people before deciding on the new opening hours.

"The notion that any superstore can ride roughshod over any consultation is flying in the face of anything that is reasonable," he said. "As a ward councillor, I am very angry about this."

Speaking before the meeting, Shipley town centre manager Bob Parker said he was assured by Mr Huntley that the new opening hours would not have a detrimental effect on residents.

And Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) said it would discourage residents from shopping outside Shipley.

"Other supermarkets open right through the night so it makes sense that Shipley's Asda does the same thing," he said.

A spokesman for the supermarket chain told the Telegraph & Argus the change in opening hours was a reflection of customer needs.

"People work shifts and the time they have to do their shopping can be limited," she said.

"Mums don't always want to go shopping with their children and this gives them extra choice.

"It will also help to alleviate queues at the traditionally busy times on Fridays and Saturdays."