AN East Devon campaign group is hoping to rally support from residents and shopkeepers against the proposed opening of a Tesco supermarket in their town.

The group is holding a public meeting in the Old Boys' school hall in Yonder Street, Ottery St Mary, on Friday at 7.30pm.

Sustainable Ottery is opposing the opening of a Tesco convenience store on the old Cutler Hammer factory site, claiming it would lead to shop closures in the centre of town, less choice for local people, and net job losses.

Speakers with experience of fighting supermarket projects have been lined up for the meeting.

They include Gay Brown, from London, who has worked closely with the national organisation, Tescopoly; Nigel Eadie, a shopkeeper from Tavistock where a recent campaign successfully opposed supermarket plans; and Gerald Conyngham, from Crediton Climate Action, which was recently involved in fighting a Tesco bid there.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for local residents to share their views on Sainsbury's plans for a supermarket in Hind Street, Ottery.

Sustainable Ottery is objecting to both the Tesco and Sainsbury's plans and group member Helen Collinson said: "We know that several food shops feel just as threatened by a Sainsbury's store as they do by Tesco. But we acknowledge that the impact of a supermarket in the centre of Ottery could be different from that of a supermarket on the old factory site which is on the edge of town.

"This is why we are listening to local people before deciding what action to take on Sainsbury's plans."