Scores of new jobs will be created in Calne now that Tesco has received planning permission for a new store and petrol station on a 45,000 sq ft plot of land.

The new store will be built on Beversbrook Road, on a triangle of land just off the Oxford Road roundabout, and will bring 150 new jobs to the town.

It will provide a broad range of convenience products, including fresh fish and meat counters and a bakery, as well as parking for 316 cars.

Tesco has also agreed to provide a small building near the entrance for Calne Town Council and the Calne Springs Community Interest Company to promote local events.

Paul Ogden, president of the Calne Chamber of Commerce, said: “I think it’s great news. There has been a lot of worry about it, but we have actually got something quite good out of it.

“To be honest I think that most of the people who use the store will end up being people who don’t come into the town centre anyway, certainly from the north side of town. We are not against competition.”