SHOPS and homes could soon be bulldozed - to make way for two multi-million pound developments in Widnes town centre, it was disclosed this week.

Retail giant Asda is understood to be moving from Halebank to a brand new store to be built in Widnes Road, the World can exclusively reveal.

More properties could be demolished at the far end of town for new units to be built in a separate development at the top of Albert Road.

Full details of the schemes - set to open by the millennium - are to be announced by Halton Council at a press briefing on Friday afternoon.

The top secret plans were unveiled to a delegation of Widnes Traders' Association at a breakfast summit on Monday morning - but members were warned not to breathe a word about them to anyone.

All the traders affected will be put in the picture at a meeting .on Thursday evening.

It is understood that letters are to be sent to all the residents and tenants whose properties have been earmarked for demolition.

Councillors and developers realise the projects are very sensitive as they involve local people losing their homes and businesses.It is understood that council tenants will be re-housed and home-owners compensated for their properties.

Provision has been made for traders to re-locate to alternative premises.

Councillors are confident the radical plans will regenerate flagging trade on the fringes of town and make Widnes a major shopping centre for the millennium.

Naomi Duggan, of Asda, said: "As a company, we never comment on any sites, acquisitions or negotiations anywhere in the country until it gets to the planning stage."

A spokesman for Halton Council said: "We won't be commenting until the full press briefing on Friday."

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