NEARLY 1,000 people have now signed a petition backing the campaign to bring a new, low-cost food store to Little Sutton.

Valerie Waring, who has lived in the area for nearly 50 years and is leading the fight, has also received a letter of support from borough MP Andrew Miller.

Last week, we revealed how Little Sutton people had united in an attempt to get a food store in the village following the closure of the Kwik Save supermarket last year.

Residents argue that Ellesmere Port town centre is too far to travel to do their weekly shop, particularly for pensioners, people with ill health and those who can’t drive.

Mrs Waring said: “I’ve received a lot of e-mails from people backing the campaign. They are really pleased we’re trying to do something about the situation.

“We’re desperate for a new store here. If people want to support us they can sign the petition in the post office in Little Sutton.

“I sent an e-mail to Andrew Miller and he has written a letter of support to me backing the idea of a new food store.

“If the borough councillors who are supporting us can get in contact with me I’d like to see what we can do from here.”

Labour borough councillor Brian Jones vowed to back supporters while Conservative Cllr Kimberley Anderson said she was behind them “100%” and would provide any help she could.

Meanwhile, borough council leader Justin Madders has contacted commercial estate agents Mason Owen over the future of the old Kwik Save building.

Cllr Madders asked for a progress report on any potential interest in the site and for the removal of a “significant amount” of rubbish which has accumulated at the entrance to the building.

He received an e-mail from Mason Owen saying: “With regard to food stores these premises are not attractive because they do not have a car park, they are small, have poor servicing arrangements and they will be up against a very successful Tesco Express about 150 yards away which has a decent car park.”

The estate agent says it has passed on the information about the rubbish to the landlords.