500 sign Tesco petition

More than 500 people have added their names to a petition objecting to controversial plans for a Tesco supermarket to be built in Stourport.

Proposals have been submitted for the scheme, which would see a store, petrol station and parking spaces for 311 cars built on the former Carpets of Worth factory, in Severn Road.

But the scheme has sparked fury among the community who fear it will force independent shops in the town out of business.

There are also concerns it will lead to traffic chaos around already congested roads such as Mitten Street and Severn Road itself.

The petition was only launched a week ago but campaigners say it has already been signed by more than 500 people.

It will be sent to Wyre Forest Council planning committee - although this is not expected for some months yet.

Stourport councillor David Little said the number of people who had signed the petition in such a short space of time showed the depth of feeling against the plans.

A Tesco spokesman said the firm had explored all options to extend its current premises in Lombard Street but developing the site to provide "a modern large foodstore" was not possible.