VIDEO: Hundreds turn out for anti-Tesco protest in Sherborne this afternoon

Crowds of campaigners marched through Sherborne town centre this afternoon in protest to plans for a Tesco supermarket.

More than 200 people congregated on Cheap Street with anti-Tesco placards and banners, before walking to the Digby Hall, Hound Street, to attend a public consultation which outlines plans for the Sherborne Hotel site, on the A30.

Traders who opposed the plans boarded up their windows, switched out their lights and some closed their shops in a mark of solidarity with the march.

Representatives from the retail giant discussed the plans with residents and invited them to vote for their favourite design and submit comments.

Former Sherborne gift shop owner Edward Brown, of Westbury, said the consultation was a fiasco.

He said: "It was not a proper consultation. There was hardly anyone to speak to and when we did get to talk to someone, they couldn't answer our questions. There was no formal presentation or a question or answer session. I do not agree with the plans."

Online business owner Sarah Steele, of Sherborne, did not attend the protest but tweeted: "I will not be attending, we need a descent affordable supermarket so we don't have to drive to Yeovil."

The consultation is open until 7.30pm.

For the full story see Thursday's Sherborne edition of the Western Gazette.

Keep up to date with the Tesco debate and all other Sherborne news by following Sherborne reporter Flora Thompson @WGFloraThompson and visiting thisisdorset.co.uk.

See our video of Valerie Singleton leading the anti-Tesco protest in Sherborne

Hundreds of protesters marched through Sherborne as the final consultation opened into plans to open a store

Take a look at our photo gallery of protesters marching through Sherborne over plans to open a Tesco store.