In a setback to Blackpool, Labour has announced that it will stage next year's party conference in Manchester.

Colin Asplin, of the Blackpool Hotel Association, told the BBC: "It amazes me that the Labour party, which is a working class party, doesn't want to come to the main working class resort in the country."

Ian McCartney, party chairman, said the decision was a tribute to Manchester's renaissance and regeneration.

He added that Blackpool would host the party's 2006 spring conference, and said the party and Blackpool council would work together to bring the annual conference back there as soon as possible.