HIGH Wycombe's new £95 million shopping and leisure centre is in doubt after its financial backers pulled out.

The future of the Western Sector scheme, which includes a new bus station, library, multiplex cinema and a health and fitness club, hangs in the balance after Great Portland Estates withdrew. The plan has faced problems including a costly High Court battle with Tesco over demolishing its Newlands store which Tesco lost in May.

Warner Village, which was orginally interested in running the cinema, has pulled out and in November Great Portland Estates revealed they might withdraw, blaming delays in the start date.

Wycombe District Council, the third party involved, is now hoping to find another company to put up the money.

The Bucks Free Press reported in November that Great Portland Estates might pull out after delays in getting the project off the ground.

This spring, the firm said it would go to the High Court to see if it had to be bound by its funding agreement with MAB. The case should have been heard on July 3.

Cllr Alan Fulford, district councillor with responsibility for the plan, said: "As far as I understand it - and the terms of the settlement are confidential between MAB and GPE - GPE have withdrawn from it and we do not have a backer in place. I am not pleased that we have lost the funder for the Western Sector."

MAB had said they could bring in another backer fairly quickly and keep it on track, he said.

"I expect a new funder for the same scheme as quickly as possible. We can't let this drift on. But finding someone to come up with £95 million is not a five minute job."

Cllr Fulford and his colleagues are due to meet MAB, the latest in their regular meetings, on July 19.

"At that meeting I will be looking for positive news about funding," he said.

Council leader Roger Colomb, said: "Now we can move the thing on a stage further but there are many, many difficult issues surrounding the Western Sector."

David James, of Great Portland Estates, said: "As owner of the Octagon Centre we have always supported the principle of the Western Sector and of course we complied with our obligations under the funding agreement until the funding agreement was determined."

David Easson, MAB managing director, said: "We are delighted that we can now get on with the scheme in the way that was always intended and it will now be possible to continue our discussions with the retailers who want to come to the Western Sector. We are now free to go to other parties who want to fund this scheme."

Cllr Fulford said: "I don't think MAB and GPE have anything to be cheerful about."