A MULTI billion pound battle for the Safeway supermarket group broke out this week after two major chains revealed their bids.

Bradford based Morrisons was first into the ring last week with its £2.6 billion bid to take over the Safeway chain.

But on Monday, Sainsbury entered the race with its higher £3.2 billion, part cash bid.

With competitor Wal-Mart, owner of Leeds based Asda, expected to also enter a total cash bid before the end of the week, the bidding war is set to continue.

Morrisons, which has stores in Guiseley, Yeadon and Horsforth could also increase its bid in an attempt to chase off its two larger rivals.

Sir Ken Morrison, executive chairman, said last week that the takeover would allow the company to continue with its programme of extension.

"I think it reflects the opportunities to expand at the pace we would like to. This is a good opportunity to pick up extra space and give us the opportunity to develop our business very rapidly," he said.

The majority of Safeway's 479 stores would be re-branded under the Morrison's name, with only 123 smaller stores keeping the Safeway brand.

In Otley, Safeway's 'smaller' store on Westgate would be likely to be one of those retaining the Safeway brand - if Morrisons took over.

If Sainsbury's took control, the company would be left with a supermarket in Otley in addition to the Old Tannery in Gay Lane - which is still on the cards to be redeveloped into residential flats along with a Sainsbury's store in Bondgate.

Meanwhile, the majority of shoppers in Otley, Guiseley and Horsforth were this week backing Morrisons.

Seen as a local firm, Morrisons was favourite for value with shoppers who saw Sainsbury's as more expensive with less to offer.

Harry Smith, 70, retired of Whiteley Croft, Otley, said: "If a Morrisons opened in Otley, I think it would be good for the local people because it is a local, northern firm.

"I look for a supermarket with low prices, good layout and a full line of stock, and I know I can expect that of Morrisons. I also like shopping at ASDA as it is low cost, but I think that if Sainsbury's were to open we would not necessarily get value for money."

Barbara Lister, 51, a lecturer from Otley, said: "I think if Morrisons is successful in its bid it would be a boost to northern industry as it is a local name well renowned for low cost. However, I look for freshness of goods, particularly fruit and vegetables, and from experience I have found Sainsbury's to be one of the best supermarkets for this and it also has a very wide range of products.

Julie Peters, 32, a housewife from Westgate, said: "I tend to shop at Morrisons for the main bulk of my shopping as it is good value. I do shop at Safeway, because it is convenient, not necessarily because I prefer it. With young children I have to be conscious of price, so having a Morrisons in Otley would be really handy. With Morrisons you always get value for money and there are always lots of special offers."

Joanne Jackson, 22, a nurse from Weston Drive, Otley, said: "It would be good to see an ASDA open in Otley as my mother has special dietary needs and there are certain things I have only been able to find at ASDA that she can eat.

" I think a Morrisons in Otley would be good for the community as it is a local firm, and I already do the main bulk of shopping there as they have low prices, and it would be convenient for people living in Otley. I've found that Sainsbury's is more expensive and doesn't always have a wide selection of brands."

Mary Hamilton, 77 of Grange Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, said: "I don't usually shop at Safeway, so the take over probably won't have much of an affect on me, but Morrisons is well known for low prices and is a local company, so it would be good to have them branch out all over the country. At the moment, to go to a Morrisons you have to go to Guiseley, so if one opened in Otley it would be more convenient."

Margaret Wilkinson, 46, a child care worker of Neville Road, Otley, said: "I think Safeway and Sainsbury's are quite similar, so it would be nice to see Morrisons take over and provide low cost shopping."

Ida Pearson, 75 of Kineholme Drive, said: "The take over of Safeway probably won't affect me too much, and I would be happy for the supermarkets to stay as they are. "Morrisons is known for having low prices, but I prefer to pay for well known brands as long as I get value for money. I don't think it would do any harm for Morrisons to become a bigger chain as it is mainly in the north at the moment and it would be good to see it expand to the whole country."

Alan Dickinson, 46, a teacher from Guiseley, said: "I think it would be good for a local firm like Morrisons to become better known throughout the country, but I would prefer Sainsbury's to be successful in the take over. Sainsbury's is more expensive than Morrisons, but has higher quality food, more variety and is a bigger, well established chain of shops."

Carol Hassell, 37, a nurse from Horsforth, said: "I would like to see Morrisons succeed it would mean the market share is divided between more companies. If Sainsbury's were to succeed, I feel they would own too much of the market and become too powerful, which could mean prices will rise even more. Morrisons is cheap and convenient."

Gemma Casali, 21, a student from Cragg Road, Horsforth, said: "I think it would be good for Morrisons to win the take over bid because it is a local firm and they have a wide selection of brands. Morrisons are easy to access for people and usually have lots of offers on. Morrisons is also very popular with, and cheap for, students."

Daniel Marston, 22, a student from Otley Road, Headingley, said: "I would like to see Morrisons take over Safeway because it's cheap and convenient.