Plans for two new major supermarkets in Cleckheaton have received a mixed welcome from officials.

Tesco and Asda have both submitted plans for new developments in the town.

And the plans are to come under scrutiny at Kirklees Heavy Woollen Planning Sub- Committee meeting tomorrow.

Planning officers who have drawn up reports about the two proposals are recommending Tesco plans be approved while Asda's be rejected.

Asda is planning a store on the old Bridon Wire site in Bradford Road and Tesco's plans include a store on the old feast ground in St Peg Lane which would replace the existing store in Northgate.

Both sets of plans have been criticised by campaigners worried that the stores will kill town centre trade. Both Spen MP Mike Wood and the Spen Valley Civic Society have campaigned for Tesco to redevelop their existing Northgate site, but they are committed to relocating.

Mr Wood said: "The current application on the St Peg Lane site is contrary to current planning on supermarkets and would be detrimental to the town centre."

Spen Valley Civic Society secretary Jennifer Alderson said there was no need for such a large development in Cleck-heaton. In a letter sent to committee members, she said: "The economic welfare of the town hangs on your vote.

"Although both applications have been amended, the changes are very slight. They have been likened to the re-arrangement of the deckchairs on the Titanic.

"We are anticipating that officers will be supporting the Tesco plan as many have said all along - indeed even before the application was drafted - that they were in favour of it."

Spen Valley Chamber of Trade also objected to Tesco's plans based on the perceived detrimental impact of the new site on trade in the area, traffic congestion and the general inconvenience for older people. Letters of objection from 84 members of the public were also received.

Planning officers have recommended refusal of the scheme on retail, industrial and highway grounds.

Kirklees Council leader Kath Pinnock said: "The position of the three ward councillors is that we want a town centre that is vibrant and inviting and encourages shoppers into the town."

Should either plan be approved, it would have to be referred to the Secretary of State for the Environment for final approval.