Millionaire businessman Sharif Tariq today offered a new covered market for Keighley's beleaguered stallholders.

Mr Tariq, owner and developer of the town's Cavendish Court shopping centre, said he was prepared to provide a £1.5 million covered building for the stallholders on the site of a car park he owns.

The dramatic twist came as thousands of people signed a petition to save the market which faces being shut to make way for a Morrison's super store.

Mr Tariq, chairman of Keighley Asian Business Forum, said he believed his site, where there is already a Saturday open-air market, would be an ideal new home for the indoor market.

Mr Tariq, chairman of Keighley Asian Business Forum, said he believed the site was suitable because of its proximity to the existing shopping centre, as well as Sainsbury's and the Airedale Centre.

Bradford Council - which owns the market - and Morrison's Supermarket today confirmed discussions are taking place about a possible redevelopment of its Keighley store.

It is understood the shopping giant wants to replace its existing store in Worth Way with a larger superstore on the market site nearby. The company says an option being considering is a joint scheme with the council to relocate the store and build a new market on a site adjoining the existing one.

Mr Tariq, who also owns Bradford's Cannon Mills Shopping Village where a £15 million shopping scheme is planned, said he would seek talks with Morrison's and Bradford Council about his proposals.

Executive member for the economy Councillor Simon Cooke said: "We will talk to him, although we are still committed to keeping the market on its existing site. I think the traders may have a problem relocating because their existing site is good and closer to the main part of the town."

Sajjad Haider, proprietor of Millennium Bargains in the Cavendish Court Centre, said: "We would like to see the market here. It would be to everyone's benefit. It would bring people into our shops and would also be good for the market traders. All the shopkeepers are fairly keen to see this."

Market trader and newsagent Roger Holmes said he could not comment on Mr Tariq's proposal until he had seen the details.