TESCO has released a statement welcoming the custom of the man who led a campaign against the opening of one of its new stores.

Ashley Gunstock - who launched an unsuccessful legal battle to prevent the Tesco Express branch in Wanstead High Street receiving an alcohol licence earlier this year - caused controversy this week by admitting to shopping at the firm's Leytonstone store.

The father-of-one, of Cranbourne Avenue - who is currently leading a campaign calling on shoppers to boycott the store - was labelled a 'hypocrite' by Prospective Conservative Parliamentary Candidate (PPC) for Wanstead and Leyton, Ed Northover.

Mr Gunstock hit back against Mr Northover's comments by saying that he did all of the shopping he could using local stores in the High Street, but that the closure of many of the area's traditional shops meant he had to use supermarkets to get certain goods.

He also questioned why Mr Northover had not joined him in his efforts to promote the interests of local businesses.

Tesco has since contacted the Guardian to welcome Mr Gunstock's business and claimed the new Express store would help him do more of his shopping locally:

It read: "We have always said that our new store in Wanstead will encourage people, like Mr Gunstock, to shop locally rather than travel to other areas like Leytonstone.

"As Mr Gunstock says lots of people lead busy lives and need to have a wide range of choice and services available to them locally."

The store is due to open in January.