As published by PeterBoroughToday.com: There were renewed calls for Peterborough's casino plans to be scrapped after a pensioner built up £20,000 in gambling debts in just three months.

City MP Stewart Jackson is a strong opponent of the plans and fears it will result in people getting into debt. His views are backed by Canon Bruce Ruddock of Peterborough Cathedral who has argued that the young and vulnerable will be drawn to gambling if a casino is built on their doorstep.

Today, Mr. Jackson said one of his concerns was that city residents would fall into the same trap as 70-year-old Tony Copley, who quickly became hooked on casino games on the Internet. Mr. Copley, a retired Army chef from Whittlesey, used credit cards to fund his addiction and, having recently declared himself bankrupt, is warning others of the perils of gambling.

The city council is hoping Peterborough will be one of 16 cities to be granted a license for casino gambling under new Government plans, but Mr. Jackson believes it is making a mistake. He said: "I'm concerned that a casino will encourage people to believe they can win a large amount of money through gambling. They may take out credit cards or loans to fund this and could easily end up in serious financial trouble.