The retail giant has submitted plans for a new 54,000 sq ft store on the Ballymena Road - their biggest store in Northern Ireland.

And, as the Antrim Times revealed last month, a planning decision is imminent.

However, Asda this week stepped up their campaign by calling on local people to contact the Planning Service to register their support.

The development will generate approximately 400 new jobs for local people and ASDA bosses are committed to setting up a Local Employment Partnership with local job centres to target job seekers.

Commenting on the plans, Philip Bartram Property Communications Manager for ASDA, said: "At a time of financial uncertainty we are committed to investing in Antrim. Our store plans will give working families access to ASDA's famous low prices and excellent customer service. Our scheme will generate approximately 400 new jobs for local people and we will use local contractors to build the store - benefiting the wider economy.

"We are currently working closely with the Planning Service and other agencies to ensure a prompt decision on our application.

"In the meantime we would urge local people to show their support for our scheme and write to the Planning Service backing plans for a new ASDA store."

Asda have asked local people to send letters of support, quoting reference number T/2006/0629/F, to Miss Leona McGinn, Planning Service, Millennium House, 17-25 Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7BN.