Bradford supermarket giant Morrisons says it cannot guarantee it will retain its presence in Bingley, it was revealed today.

The admission comes as traders called on the company to reveal its plans for the crucial, flagship supermarket in the town.

Bingley's specialist shopkeepers want Morrisons to state their intentions for the Safeway store which they say is too small to tempt new shoppers into town.

Morrisons, which took over the Safeway brand in March 2004, is being looked to for a store that will give people a reason to complete all of their shopping in town.

But a company spokesman said: "Bingley is one of the stores that is being held for future conversion development or sale.

"A decision has not been made on what will happen to the store, it is very much business as usual."

The store is part of the 1970s Myrtle Walk shopping centre which will be a focus of regeneration work in the town.

Beverley Ford, of Chapel Lane shoe shop Shoobox, said: "We need to keep shoppers in Bingley. One of the ways to do this is to ensure that is to make the supermarket bigger and better."

Beverley, who with business partner Evaun Hawksworth this week marked six months of trading, added: "Bingley could become a really thriving place. We would like to see more diverse shops here that give people reason to get off the train and not continue to Leeds to shop. We need a good supermarket to help this along."

Andrew Taylor, of Taylor shoes, Main Street, said: "We are just waiting for Ken Morrison to say what he intends to do about the Safeway store.

"The place there now wants demolishing and replacing with somewhere bigger with decent parking."

Kay Adams, chairman of Bingley Business Watch and owner of Kay Kraft in Chapel Lane, said the relief road had made Bingley a more pleasant place to shop.

"Now we need a supermarket that people want to use with good parking. Once we get on-street parking matters will improve here as well."

And Naseem Butt, of Happy Days cards, said: "Bingley needs the sort of supermarket that will attract people into town, a big Tesco or something."

But Mrs Butt called on any future supermarket to beware of forcing smaller businesses out by drastically undercutting them.