PUB chain Wetherspoons was today urged to end the uncertainty over its on-off move to Accrington.

The call came as the cut-price drinks chain admitted some deals dragged on for five years before being completed.

Two previous moves to open a venue in the town, at the former Lar de Dars nightclub, in Eagle Street and other units on Broadway, fell through last year.

A company spokesman said this week they are still committed to concluding a deal.

But today Darren Rich, manager of Poundstretchers, which trades from one of the three Broadway units which have become Wetherspoons' latest target, said people were beginning to doubt the move would ever happen. "We've heard nothing for ages," he said.

Councillor Peter Britcliffe, opposition leader on Hyndburn Council, said: "It's the great Wetherspoons mystery that has been on and off and on and off for some time. As a council we need to do our utmost to attract someone like Wetherspoons to the town centre. It would be a great boost for the town centre at what is a trying time for town centres."

Up to 35 jobs would be created if the current deal was completed. The company already has three outlets in East Lancashire, including one in Blackburn.

The company pulled out of a deal to spend £900,000 converting a number of units on Broadway, even though they had council permission for change of use, saying they were too small. The Lar de Dars deal also failed to materialise after the chain decided it would cost too much to renovate it.

Michael Carney, president of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said: "Wetherspoons are neither crucial nor pivotal to the future of Accrington, but we would be delighted to welcome them here if they can find a suitable property.

"I'm happy that Accrington centre is a shoppers' domain during the day and a revellers' domain at night. That's good for a town centre and Wetherspoons would be welcome to join it."

The Wetherspoons spokesman said: "It's in the solicitor's hands and we are working on completing a deal. We certainly haven't pulled out, it's still going through the motions. Some pubs we look at and buy within six months but I have known others to drag on for five years."