Supermarket giant Tesco has unveiled its plans to move into the village of Meopham.

Yesterday, plans for the Tesco Express were shown to residents at the St John's Centre in the village.

The manager of Spar, Colin Hargrave, a few doors down from the proposed Tesco, has been collecting signatures on a petition opposing the plans, which he gave to store bosses.

Mr Hargrave said his family had traded on The Parade since 1964 when his parents started the business. He joined when he left school in 1972.

He fears his shop will suffer.

He said: “Tesco has a business plan which is a turnover three times mine. The parking on The Parade is already chaotic without extra cars coming to Tesco.”

Tesco plans to move in to the Meopham Building Supplies premises, which closed down after 25 years on April 6.

The company received planning permission in January to allow an extension to the property to be used for retail.

At the time, owner Jaswinder Heire said the reason was to “increase our turnover by increasing our retail floor area”.

Meopham Parish Council did not object to the plans and wrote in support of the idea at the time.

The extension will give Tesco more room and, because it has already received planning for permission for use as retail, it will not need to seek permission from Gravesham council.