Emails obtained under the Freedom of Information Act have confirmed Bovey Tracey Town Council was 'fairly confident' it wanted a deal with Sainsbury's as long ago as August.

The revelation appears to contradict mayor Cllr Rob Bray, who told 130 residents at a packed meeting on November 21: 'You can think what you like. There have been no discussions with Sainsbury's. It is rumour.'

Storegap, the firm representing Sainsbury's, has been in talks with the authority for several months about fields off Le Molay Littry Way which are reserved for community use. A £750 report has been commissioned by the council to see if the restriction can be lifted.

Hundreds have signed a petition against the idea and complained that residents are being kept in the dark.

Storegap has laid on trips for councillors to see towns where Sainsbury's does business and has advised them on how to influence public reaction to a store coming to town.

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