The supermarket giant currently are awaiting a decision from planners over proposals to open a store at Redlands as part of a mixed leisure and retail development.

However, Larne Traders Forum has said that while they would welcome a large supermarket, it would be better to have it located in or close to the town centre. And they have urged that a Department of Social Development masterplan - designed to put Larne's commercial centre back on track - should be the template regulating future expansion.

In response to an earlier survey carried out by ASDA, a recent survey carried out on behalf of the traders asked nearly 500 people their views on the issue, with 78.3 per cent replying "yes" to the question "would it be better if a larger supermarket could be located in the town centre".

ASDA, meanwhile, maintain that their choice of location for the proposed new store at Redlands came after over almost two years of site-searching and is the only suitable and available location in the proximity of the town centre with the space required.

The company is continuing to work alongside their development partners McKenzies (NI) Ltd to push forward the planning application as quickly as possible.

ASDA say they have "overwhelming support" from local people following a two-day public exhibition where more than 400 formal responses were received by the company. The company said the survey revealed that 99 per cent said they would welcome ASDA to Larne, with 98.75 per cent specifically supporting plans for the redevelopment of the Redlands site of which ASDA would be a key part.

Anyone who wishes to express their views on the plans should write to Ms Ashleigh George, Planning Service, Ballymena Divisional Planning Office, County Hall, 182 Galgorm Road, Ballymena, BT42 1QF, quoting the reference number F/2007/0418/F.