Blackpool reopens battle for casino site

Supporters of Blackpool as the location for Britain's first Las Vegas-style super-casino reopened their fight yesterday after the Government's shock defeat over its plans to give the gambling licence to Manchester.

Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, tried to keep alive her plans in spite of the rejection of the package by a majority of three votes in the House of Lords.

But the casino package is now likely to be delayed until the summer, and there are doubts at Westminster as to whether Gordon Brown, if he becomes Prime Minster, will give the project the same priority as Mr Blair.

The 16 towns and cities which won licences for smaller casinos now have to put their plans on hold until the order is reintroduced and passed by Parliament. Ministers are under pressure to allow the plans to go through.

Friends of Gordon Brown said he was furious with Blackpool Labour MPs for turning down a regeneration package. But the Labour MPs said the new money was no compensation for losing the casino.

The Blackpool campaigners say the process for the casino advisory committee was flawed because the terms of reference were tilted towards regeneration rather than entertainment.