THE RACE to build a new supermarket in Wadebridge is picking up pace after Morrison's announced it is submitting a formal planning bid this week.

It has stolen a march on rival Sainsbury's which was the first to show an interest in the town.

Both chains have held public exhibitions about the proposed out-of-town sites.

Morrison's hopes to build its £12 million store on the current training pitches at Wadebridge Town Football Club.

Speaking on behalf of Morrison's, development surveyor Mark Thompson said: "As a result of the public consultation process and discussions with planning officers, we have made some minor amendments to the scheme.

However, in essence it is the same scheme we presented in December."

The proposals include a medium-sized supermarket, petrol station, car parking and business units on the top half of the pitch.

To help ease traffic congestion the proposals also include a new link road joining Bodieve Road and Gonvena Hill, which will take all through traffic, and a new roundabout at the entrance opposite Trenant Industrial Estate.

The bottom half of the site will remain as the football club's main pitch, with stand and club house.

Morrisons will also help the club to relocate the training pitches to a new site at Bodieve, next to the hamlet's campsite.

Rivals Sainsbury's said they were still working their plans for a store at the former North Cornwall District Council offices at Higher Trenant.

A spokesman said: "There has been a great deal of interest in proposals for a new food store in Wadebridge.

"Sainsbury's is carefully considering how the community's feedback can help to shape plans before we submit a planning application."

However, campaign group lovewadebridge.com has vowed to continue fighting the threat of the two supermarkets.

Group spokesman Stephen Frankel said: "This group speaks for the 3,000 people who signed our petition against Cornwall Council selling off its Higher Trenant offices to Sainsbury's.

"They realise that out-of-town shopping will do to Wadebridge what it has done to most other market towns.

"You only have to look around you at the South West to see the damage.

"The Government has now changed the planning rules to give priority to the vibrancy of market town centres.

"Sadly, this change has come too late for most places.

"We're determined to make sure that the planners follow the new rules and do the right thing for Wadebridge."