A massive Tesco development planned for Banbridge, has got the axe from planners, amid strong opposition from local traders.

The proposed store, which would have been the largest in Ireland, faced continued campaigning from locals prior to the Planning Service's announcement.

The super-store was to form part of the ever-growing Bridgewater Park retail complex, but now the 130,000 square foot build will reportedly be abandoned.

However, a Tesco spokesman said yesterday that neither the supermarket chain nor the developer had been made aware of the final decision.

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"We would be very surprised if the Department has chosen to inform an external organisation before the applicant or ourselves," said the spokesman.

This has not stopped local traders from claiming victory in the dispute. According to Banbridge Traders Association's Joe Quail the rejection of the plans would be "welcomed not just by traders but by many in the local community".

"If this application had been successful then our town would have been ruined with the loss of hundreds of jobs and the closure of many local independent retailers in the town centre who would have been unable to compete with such a vast store," Mr Quail told the BBC.

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association also welcomed the announcement. Its Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts, said the decision was a "victory for common sense".

(PR/JM)