Support for Blackpool's casino bid has poured in from groups and members of the public according to staff at the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP).

Details of the comments from 25 letters of support and three letters opposing the resort's bid for the UK's first and only regional casino licence were published on the CAP website yesterday.

Some writers said the casino would give Blackpool a much-needed boost and claimed overwhelming support for the bid while others expressed scepticism of the economic and regenerative benefits and said transport links were inadequate.

But these details only relate to letters received until July 8 and Kate Rounce, a member of the Casino Advisory Panel Secretariat, who was responsible for receiving letters of support and objection said more arrived after the date.

She said: "We have had a lot of people write to us and tell us how they feel about the casino. I'm not sure how many exactly but there was a lot of interest."

The news follows the announcement of the 14 organisations and individuals invited to join members of the Casino Advisory Panel at an examination in public at the Imperial Hotel on September 8.

People were asked to write a 1,500 word submission to be considered as an invitee and there will be 75 spaces available on a first come basis for members of the public to listen to the discussion.

The chosen ones are the Northwest Regional Development Agency, the North West Regional Assembly, Government Office for the Northwest, ReBlackpool, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board, Lancashire Economic Partnership, Blackpool Business Leadership Team and Blackpool Hotel and Guest House Association.

Preston City Council, North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, gaming company, Leaguenotion, Councillor Steven Bate, who is against the proposals, local businessman John Barnett and retired solicitor, Michael Edwards, are also on the list.

Councillor Eddie Collett, Blackpool's portfolio holder for regeneration and tourism, said: "There is a good mix of people on the list who represent most of the community.

"There will be people who support and oppose the plans and everyone will get the opportunity to give their individual viewpoints and hopefully members of the public will turn up on the day to support it."