DRINKERS in Accrington may still be targeted by national pub chain Wetherspoons after the company revealed it was looking at a fourth venue in the town.

Three previous attempts to bring the group to town have failed but the company says it is in discussions about opening an outlet in the town centre.

The pub venue is said to be part of a new development, next door to the Arndale centre.

In 2001 the first attempt to open on the site of Lar de Dars, in Eagle Street, failed. The club has since reopened with the old management team in place.

A deal to open in units on Broadway went to the wall in the same year and last year another deal for three other units in Broadway fell through last year.

That venue would have created up to 35 jobs.

The company already has venues in East Lancashire, including Blackburn.

A spokesman for Wetherspoons said: "We are in discussions. The new pub is subject to agreeing terms, planning and licensing. It's early days but it might come to something. We are very keen to make it happen."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Let's hope it's fourth time lucky because this would be very important for Accrington. I think one thing we have a shortage of in the town centre are big names and Wetherspoons is one of the big names we need.

"It's something the town is crying out for and it would be very successful."