PLANS to invest £900,000 in transforming retail units into a new pub have been withdrawn by pub chain JD Wetherspoon -- because they are too small.

But a local councillor today said she was still excited about the proposed move, after the company pledged that it would move into the town once it had found the right premises.

The company, which already has three outlets in East Lancashire, was given planning permission for change of use of the outlets in Broadway, Accrington, into a new pub -- its first in the town -- but has decided that the space is just too small for its needs.

Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for Wetherspoons, said: "We definitely still want to open a pub in Accrington, but feel the site on Broadway is too small for our requirements in the town.

"The decision to not go for that site and the fact that plans went through just happened to cross. We want to move in and are delighted we got planning but, on reflection, we would rather look for a bigger site -- the only reason is that it is too small.

"We have done our homework into the town though and are now looking for other premises."

Property agents working for Wetherspoons had spotted the premises at Broadway after a nine-month search and suggested the company seek planning permission to develop the site, but they will go back to the drawing board now. About 25 jobs were thought to have been created if it went ahead.

Councillor Jean Battle, whose Spring Hill ward would have housed the development, said: "It is a bit disappointing, but I think people will be happy to wait, as long as it goes ahead.

"It is the sort of place where a woman could go on her own for a drink and feel comfortable and of course there are the real ales and good food -- so it would be very welcome in Accrington.

"But I think it is better to wait and get the ideal place rather than go into somewhere too small."