SUPERMARKET giant Tesco, which is partnering the Wolves in the proposed stadium and store development, has said it has no immediate plans to pull out of the scheme, despite the delays caused by the public inquiry.

Though he could not give a 100 per cent guarantee until detailed discussions have taken place, corporate affairs manager Martin Venning said the company is keen to stay on board.

"We want to make something very clear," he said.

"We have made a lot of effort to put forward our case and we didn't do that lightly. There are complex issues involved, but because we have got as far as we have, it's unlikely we will abandon it now.

"It would only be on legal advice that we would withdraw."

And Mr Venning says there are complicated issues to be taken in to account.

"We have to assess the notification received from the Government before we take a final decision," he added, "and we are reviewing that now.

"There are some legal complexities we have to study and that will take a week or so, but we believe there is a clear case to make for this project, as did the members of Warrington Borough Council's planning committee."

And he says he hopes things can be moved along as quickly as possible.

"If we do take things forward there is a procedure that must be followed and things can become quite drawn out," he said.

"We were very disappointed to hear the plans had been called in. We have worked very hard, as have many others in Warrington, but there it is.

"A speedy solution to the issue looks to be out of the question and whether or not it's terminal to our plans remains to be seen."

He was unable to say whether Tesco would be able to come to the club's aid financially while the lengthy planning process goes on.

"We are not ruling anything out but we have to consider our position," he said.