Tenby 2020 are launching a fighting fund to combat the county council's proposals for a supermarket at New Hedges.

The Town Council and the Tenby Chamber of Trade and Tourism have already promised support, and pledges of support from concerned individual residents and business people have started to come in.

The proposal for a new supermarket outside Tenby is being made by the county council in their Joint Unitary Development Plan, published last year.

Although there had been over 120 objections sent in to the county council and the National Park, the planning authorities decided over the last few months to keep the proposal in their plan.

This was in spite of the fact that the list of objectors included nearly every major retailer in Tenby, very concerned at the detrimental impact the supermarket would have on Tenby town centre.

The objectors also include Nick Ainger MP, Assembly Member Christine Gwyther, Tenby Civic Society, the Pembrokeshire Hotels and Restaurants Association, North Tenby Residents Association, Serendipity Holdings, the Council for the Preservation of Rural Wales, and the Friends of the National Park.

It is known that the planning authorities will be presenting their case at the public inquiry due to open in January next year, and they will have a barrister and expert witnesses to defend their policies.

Treasurer of TENBY2020 Christine Brown, last year's Mayor and this year's Deputy Mayor, told the Observer: "It is well-known that out-of-town shopping facilities damage nearby town and village centres, leading to the closure of local shops.

"The county council are persisting in this policy with total disregard for local opinion, and with precious little thought as to the effect it will have on Tenby.

"I ask that all local people who are concerned about this, send their donations, no matter whether big or small, to me, c/o the National Westminster Bank in Tudor Square. (Cheques should be made out to the 'TENBY2020 fighting Fund').

"We must find the money to hire expert witnesses who will be able to put together a good case at the public inquiry and defeat this damaging proposal. Thank you in advance for your contributions."