It is estimated that throughout the land local high street shops are closing down at the rate of 50 a week

At the same time as the number of independent shops is reducing, more and more areas are becoming clone towns. Add to this the millions of pounds the giant out-of-town retail parks are sucking out of the local economy and it is no wonder the local shops are suffering.

Now they are facing another threat -- moves by the big stores to persuade the Government to allow them to extend their opening hours.

Enough is enough. Thankfully, MP Ann Cryer has added her name to the list of more than 130 other MPs who have signed an Early Day Motion opposing the move.

The level of support from MPs of all parties has given heart to the union Usdaw, which is the main driving force behind fighting the extension of trading hours.

It should be stressed that this is not opposition to Sunday trading. As Mrs Cryer points out, she finds Sunday shopping convenient but as far as opening hours is concerned we have gone far enough.

As the UK moves further towards being a nation that never sleeps, it is time to draw breath and look at the implications.What about the staff who don't want to work round the clock? What about the staff with families who would like to spend time at the weekend with their children? The truth is, of course, people need work and will take the jobs no matter how anti-social the hours may be.

A vital component in the future plans for Keighley and its surrounding area is to have vibrant town centres with a variety of independent and specialist shops.

The large stores do have a rightful place in town centres, and combined with the better cost, quality, choice and service found with the independent shops, make for great town centres.

There's no need whatsoever for the massive out-of-town retail parks to be given any more leeway to vacuum cash out of the local economy.