SHOPKEEPERS and the public are still angry that their battle failed to stop Tesco building a mini-mart on London Road.

Work has begun on the Tesco Express outlet and should be completed at the start of October.

But newsagent Bill Brooks - whose business is just yards away from the development - maintains the new store will force London Road shops out of business.

Objectors managed to collect 1,272 signatures against the plans when they were first issued, claiming the move would compromise road safety.

Despite their protests, the railings went up a fortnight ago and work started to transform the former Esso Larkhill petrol station.

Mr Brooks insisted many were feeling bitter about the decision to build the store.

"We are really angry and it seems that Tesco can do whatever they want to do," he said.

"They'll have the 24-hour Tesco at St Peter's and now they are building another one here.

"One of my customers, who isn't even from Worcester, said to me that they should rename Worcester "Tesco City". It's just ridiculous."

He said that shopkeepers feared for their future once the new Tesco opened, but were more worried about road safety.

In April, eight-year-old Jade Davis had to be taken to hospital when she was knocked down at the junction of Wyld's Lane and London Road. Her elder sister Gemma, aged nine, was also hurt, but was released after treatment for bruising and a swollen eye.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff dubbed the decision to build "insane" and warned it could cost a child their life.

"It is going to be very difficult, business-wise," Mr Brooks, 59, added.

"But apart from that, it's going to be very dangerous on the road.

"There are so many schoolchildren around here and the last thing we need is more traffic in the area, which Tesco is going to bring."

Worcester City Council had initially turned down the scheme and shop-owners and residents, including Mr Luff, signed the petition.

They convinced the city council, but not the officers who dealt with the appeal.