A DATE has been set for the first stage in a legal battle to stop Tesco Express selling alcohol in Wanstead High Street.

Traders and residents launched an appeal against Redbridge Council's decision to grant the store an alcohol licence after it refused to accept their 1,400-name petition in April.

Campaigners clubbed together to pay for a summons to be sent to the local authority, which must now attend an initial review hearing at Redbridge Magistrates Court on August 14.

The original campaign against the alcohol licence was launched because of fears over the impact it would have on anti-social behaviour in the area.

Ashley Gunstock, of Cranbourne Avenue in Wanstead, handed over a cheque to pay for the summons at Redbridge Magistrates Court on July 17.

He said: "We believe we have a good case for this appeal.

"We were told by the council that we would be allowed to hand in the petition at the meeting, but they simply refused to consider it or to allow councillor Sue Nolan to speak on our behalf.

"It was a complete sham.

"We feel that the council has ridden roughshod over the views of people in Wanstead by refusing to accept our petition at the licensing hearing and this is why we decided to launch this appeal."

Work has yet to begin on the new Tesco Express store, more than two months after the alcohol licence was granted.

A Tesco spokeswoman said the firm was waiting for council approval to create a new loading bay in front of the shop and that it had a zero tolerance policy towards under-age drinking.

The council has yet to comment.