The supermarket chain wants to upgrade its One Stop shop in Longlevens to a Tesco Express, axeing its post office to make more space.

The Reverend Ann Sherratt from Lonsdale Road Methodist Church is one of several ministers lobbying the chief executive.

"It is simply ridiculous. Clearly no thought has been given by Tesco to people who are potential customers".

She says that if talking to Tesco fails, people fighting the move will take the fight to Downing Street.

A petitions has been launched by local people.

A spokesman for Tesco says the new store will offer a much wider variety of goods.