FOREST MP Mark Harper has challenged the Co-op's anti-competitive actions in Cinderford while protestors burnt replica store loyalty cards.

Mr Harper's letter to the interim chief executive of the Co-operative Group, Richard Pennycook, supports the recent letter council leader Cllr Patrick Molyneux sent highlighting the "negative community impact" the Co-op's legal battle against the proposed Asda store at Steam Mills was causing.

Mr Harper said: "I am writing to the interim chief executive of Co-operative Group about the ongoing delay of the Asda Cinderford development. I have asked him to explain why the Co-op continues to block and obstruct every effort to get this much-needed new supermarket for the people of Cinderford and the wider Forest area.

"With regards to Asda locating in Cinderford, I am, and have always been, supportive of my constituents getting more choice over where they are able to shop, not only to provide more choice to shoppers and keep prices down, but to also provide more local jobs."

In his letter, Mr Harper said: "My constituents are concerned by the repeated blocking of the process by Midcounties Co-operative, in light of planning permission being approved by the Forest of Dean District Council, and the Secretary of State's decision not to call that decision in.

"For a company that prides itself on its democratic structure, it is disappointing that the will of the democratically elected local council seems to be treated with such disdain by your organisation.

"Given the repeated blocking of planning applications from competitors, accusations that your regional board are acting in an anti-competitive manner seem far from groundless.

"The reputation of the Co-operative in Cinderford – traditionally an area where your movement had much support – has been significantly hit, to such an extent that you have already lost a number of previously loyal customers through this process.

"On top of this, your legal challenge is costing local taxpayers significant sums of money in legal fees – something which will not be forgiven lightly.

"I am hoping and asking that you will take action to ensure that the Co-op withdraws its objection to the council's planning decision and instead decides to compete on the basis of the price and quality of its goods and services.

We want Asda in Cinderford campaigners marched through the High Street to the store on Dockham Road before gathering in the Triangle to burn paper copies of the Co-op membership card.

Also present were district councillors Di Martin and Graham Morgan, and Labour's prospective parliamentary candidate for the Forest of Dean, Steve Parry-Hearn. Campaign leader Amanda Watkins said: "We marched up to the Co-op and around the car park twice then back to the Triangle to burn our loyalty cards."

Midcounties Co-operative strongly maintains that the Asda proposals are unsound and go against regulations and that the Co-op remains committed to Cinderford town.