A Bradford priest has welcomed plans to turn a derelict factory into a supermarket.

The Rev Dr George Williams of St Peter’s Church, Allerton, has written to Bradford Council supporting a planning application to turn the former Seabrook’s Crisps factory on Allerton Road into an Aldi store.

The factory closed down in 2004, and has been unused since then.

The Rev Williams said: “As a church we are wholeheartedly in favour of this development and welcome Aldi in our parish community.

“We have long campaigned for Seabrook to do something about its dilapidated factory site which is a blight and an eye sore in our parish.

“We are delighted that the new store is being planned for the area and support it 100 per cent.

“It will also bring new jobs into the area and boost the local economy, as well as providing reasonably-priced groceries for families on very tight budgets.”

A decision on the planning application will be made in March.