CAMPAIGNERS trying to keep Tesco out of their community on the Suffolk/Essex border have used the example of Ipswich's closed shops to press home their case.

CAMPAIGNERS trying to keep Tesco out of their community on the Suffolk/Essex border have used the example of Ipswich's closed shops to press home their case.

The Stour Community First campaign is trying to prevent Tesco from building a new store at Manningtree - and has warned such a move could kill off existing shops in the area.

Nicky Young from the campaign said: “A Tesco in Manningtree would be devastating for shops here, in Lawford and in Brantham.

“People live here because they like what the area has to offer now - they don't want to have to go to Tesco for everything.”

She said the Co-op was planning to expand in Manningtree and that would be a benefit to the area because it also tended to support other shops - while she feared Tesco could kill off other traders.

“We had a campaigning day last week and showed what had happened in Ipswich town centre when all the out of town stores moved in.

“We don't want to see the same kind of thing happening here,” she added.

The Star revealed last week that 100 shops or other commercial premises in the town centre were currently closed and boarded up.

It is a fate Mrs Young believes faces other communities if large stores take their business away.

She said: “In Manningtree there is currently a thriving little shopping centre. It would be very sad if that was lost because Tesco's was allowed to come in.”

An application for the new Tesco store is expected to be submitted in October and a decision should be taken on whether it can go ahead at the end of the year.