Tesco has won the Sheringham store wars battle by the narrowest of margins – on the casting vote of a planning committee chairman.

After a day long debate and 7-7 voting North Norfolk District Council development committee chairman Simon Partridge cast in favour of the Cromer Road scheme.

It looks to have ended months of debate, but sparked outrage from supporters of the rival Greenhouse Project Scheme, whose founder stormed out of the meeting saying only 'stitch up.'

Tesco spokesman Michael Kissman however said the decision, greeted by cheers from Tesco supporters, was based on the company providing the store which would benefit the town the most.

See the EDP24 website later for more details, and tomorrow's paper for a full report.