Store wars in Cleckheaton have taken an unexpected twist after Asda pulled out of plans for the town.

The company says a lack of backing from Kirklees Council has affected its decision to build in Cleckheaton.

The supermarket gianthad applied to construct its store on the old Bridon Wire site off Bradford Road. Tesco had applied to build a supermarket in St Peg Lane.

While Asda's proposals were turned down by Kirklees Council's Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee in September, Tesco's were approved.

A spokesman for Asda said: "Having now thoroughly considered its options, the company has decided that it does not wish to pursue the matter to a public inquiry, particularly in light of the lack of ongoing support from Kirklees Council for the scheme."

Andy King, senior development surveyor for Asda, said: "We have been looking for a suitable site in Cleckheaton for ten years, and felt the site was ideal, so of course we are very disappointed that our proposals did not have the support of the Council."

He said the company will concentrate its investment on other stores in Bradford, Dewsbury and Huddersfield.

But he said it had not ruled out the chance that it would look for another site in Cleckheaton in the future.

A Tesco spokesman said: "The action that Asda has taken will not affect whether or not there is a public inquiry.

"It is impossible to say the effect of this on the inquiry. When you get to this stage it is essentially a roll of the dice but we do believe we have a very robust planning case."

The public inquiry is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, July 10, at the Whitcliffe Hotel in Cleckheaton.