JACK Straw has added his voice to protests against the huge expansion of Preston city centre, claiming it could damage East Lancashire’s own town centres.

The £700million Tithebarn project is facing delays of up to 18 months because of objections from Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils - and other town halls across Lancashire are also expected to lodge complaints to the scheme.

The row over the plans is dividing the county, with Preston council leader Ken Hudson branding Blackburn with Darwen council leaders “nimbys” and saying the area should focus on its industrial heritage and not try to compete with his city’s shopping might.

But the involvement of Mr Straw, the Justice Secretary and Blackburn MP, provides a major blow to Preston’s hopes.

He said: “I am concerned about it, and its potential impact across the whole of East Lancashire.

“I will object to it as Blackburn’s MP, and I will join forces with the council.

“I shall make sure as a member of parliament that objections are heard and the whole of East Lancashire is fully considered”.

In December a report said Blackburn and Blackpool could lose 14 per cent of their shopping trade if the development, which includes a flagship John Lewis store, is approved.

A planning application has been submitted and will go before Preston City Council’s planning committee in the Spring.

An inquiry could then be triggered if the government “calls in” the committee’s decision.

Meanwhile, Lancashire County Council has decided not to carry out an “economic impact study” in an attempt to pacify the warring town halls.

But it is expected to give its backing to some aspects of the planning application, which could inflame relations with East Lancashire.

Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Michael Lee said he hoped the scheme would be rejected before even needing an inquiry.

He added: “This is not in the best interests of Lancashire as a whole.

"They are calling us nimbys for protesting against something that’s having a serious impact on the other centres in the region.”

Coun Hudson said Preston would demand a greater share of funding from the North West Development Agency, at the expense of East Lancashire, if the plans got thrown out.

He added: “If the two towns were to scupper this, it would be almost unthinkable.

"The industrial heartland is in East Lancashire, and we want to build on our strengths”.