LABOUR is 'tremendously supportive' of Blackpool and will not dump the resort for good, the resort's council leader claims.

Cllr Roy Fisher, himself a Labour representative, believes the party will be back - if Blackpool delivers a world class conference facility or a vastly improved Winter Gardens.

But opposition groups have dubbed Labour's move to Manchester a 'massive blow' to the town and there are warnings that a new 'conference and casino quarter' could take years to deliver.

Manchester's new international convention centre will host Labour's 2006 Autumn conference, with the much smaller Spring event coming to the much-maligned Winter Gardens.

Facilities at the aging conference centre have come under fire from senior Labour figures, including Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who compared the venue to a 'sauna' in his 2002 speech.

Another advantage for Manchester is that a single security cordon can take in the conference centre and the main hotel - the Midland.

"This is a massive blow to the town of Blackpool," said Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Blackpool South, Michael Winstanley: "The party conference is an important part of the tourist season and the confirmation that Labour will not be returning to Blackpool will be a disappointment to the many hoteliers in Blackpool who rely on this trade.

"I simply can't believe that Manchester will be able to cope with the accommodation that is required for a party conference."

Anchorsholme Liberal Democrat Cllr Jon Bamborough, said: "Labour councillors have, for five years, refused Lib Dem calls for a detailed analysis of our conference and exhibition future needs. It is their fault that even their own Labour Party bosses have given up on Blackpool."