The supermarket giant was granted planning permission in January to redevelop the Tesco on Northgate, creating a store three-and-a-half times the size of the existing one.

However responding to an inquiry by the Guardian and Herald, a spokesman said the project was on hold while the company looked at how to incorporate a filling station.

He said he could not give an estimated date as to when work would begin, but said it would be as soon as possible after the issue was resolved.

The existing store has a well-used petrol station - the only one in Cleckheaton.

An early version of the plan also included one, but this was deleted to speed up the application process.

Spenborough chamber of trade president Keith Joplin said the town would be incomplete without a petrol station.

He said: "It's a major attraction to have a petrol station at such a convenient site in our town. I think without it the town would be incomplete - the nearest alternatives being at Hill Top in Gomersal or the Swan traffic lights at Millbridge.

"It would be a tremendous loss if we were to lose the current one without it being replaced.

"Cleckheaton has survived for years without a major supermarket so if that's what the delay is about, then it's worthwhile."

The new superstore will also include 11 other shops.

A previous application in October was rejected on the grounds that the building was too high. Tesco architects re-drew the plans, reducing it by 2.4 metres.

When they approved the plan in January councillors imposed a condition limiting the amount of non-food items Tesco can sell at the site.

Tesco owns land elsewhere in the town, including Savoy Square, land at St Peg Lane and the former fish shop on the corner of Bradford Road.