Traders have started a petition in response to news that a Tesco store could soon be opening in their village.

Last week it was revealed that a disused convenience shop in Cromer Road, Mundesley is set to be the site for a new Tesco Express store.

Tesco bosses are intending to build on the former site of Ray's Stores and have sent a letter out to villagers telling them of their intentions.

But the news has been met with anger by local traders who say the move could ruin their businesses.

Now petitions have been put in shops around the village, including the Post Office, Tuddies Convenience Store in the High Street and the Mace shop in Cromer Road asking for Mundesley Parish Council to 'address' the issue of a Tesco store possibly being built in the village.

David Tustain from the Mace shop, who last year was named the nation's top corner shop sales assistant, said the proposals had caused unrest in the village.

He said: 'A lot of people are concerned, just this morning I have three or four people voicing their concerns. A lot of people have said that we do not need a Tesco in the village. People are concerned and worried about the effect it could have.

'I think we just want to know where we stand and what Tesco's intentions are.'

Christopher West, chairman of Mundesley Parish Council said: 'I think the problem is there was a convenience store there before and it had planning consent for that, the district council also granted an extension to it about two years ago so legally anybody is entitled to use that. From what we have been told, there is nothing the district or parish council can do about it. It is going to give full-time employment and it is replacing an existing store.'

Tesco bosses have insisted the new store would not take away trade from the village shops.

The letter sent to villagers states: 'Our Express stores are very much local stores for nearby residents, helping people to shop in their neighbourhoods and reducing longer trips to the supermarket, particularly for those without a car.

'Because our store would be providing only basic groceries, it would not compete with any of the existing local shops.'