By MIKE PARSONS and SUZANNE ELSWORTH

FEARS are growing that two of the town's senior politicians may have put the future of Warrington Wolves in serious jeopardy.

The Super League club is still awaiting Government approval for its plans to build a new 'people's stadium' five months after planning permission was granted by Warrington Borough Council.

Warrington North MP Helen Jones and the council's Deputy Leader Mike Hughes have not publicly supported the plans for a stadium and Tesco Extra store at the former Tetley-Walker site off Winwick Road.

And the fact that Mrs Jones has not made any public comment about the plans, and that Clr Hughes wrote a letter to John Prescott objecting to the plans, is thought to be putting the club's future under serious threat.

The club is currently running on £600,000 per year short of what is required to break even, but a new stadium would give it the impetus to generate much-needed income.

Warrington Borough Council's development control committee has approved the plans, but schemes of such magnitude must be referred to the Secretary of State.

If John Prescott decides to 'call-in' the planning application, a public inquiry will take place and this would drag out the saga adding significantly to the Wolves' financial pressure.

Norman Summers, chairman of the Wolves' owners, Warrington Sports Holdings Ltd, said: "I am told that could take 12 months and that would leave the club in a risky position.

"Against this whole backdrop, we find it very disappointing that two of the town's senior politicians do not seem to be supporting us."

Mr Summers highlighted Clr Hughes' leaked letter to John Prescott as reported in the GUARDIAN which was not supporting the planning application, and added that Helen Jones refuses to discuss the application with him.

He said: "It suggests that both of these politicians are in the same camp as far as this planning application is concerned and are not supporting us. And it is particularly disappointing with Helen Jones, as she has the ear of Westminster.

"But I can only say that it is very important we get a positive decision and it is critical that all the senior politicians are pulling in the same direction."

After 16 calls to Helen Jones' constituency office and her office at the House of Commons, the GUARDIAN was told that she did not wish to make any comment about her feelings on the plans, though she did say that she supported the club's decision to move.

"Warrington has a long history as a rugby-playing town and I, along with many in Warrington, take a pride in the achievement of the Wolves," Mrs Jones said.

"I am supportive of the club and share the desire that rugby league continues to prosper here. Indeed, I support the club's desire to find a new ground.

"The current planning application for a new stadium is, like all other planning applications, subject to strict planning regulations and processes. That process is under way in this case.

"I make a point of making no comment on any application at this stage of the process. It would, in my view, be improper to do so."

Clr Hughes said that he did not wish to comment.

Warrington South MP Helen Southworth was, however, happy to comment on the plans, and to give the Wolves her full backing.