More than 1,300 villagers have signed a petition against plans to build homes and a shop on the site of a derelict pub in Congresbury.

Developer Land and Buildings Ltd plans to build 11 homes and a 4,000 sq ft convenience store on the site of the former Bell Inn in Kent Road.

The two, three and four-bedroom homes would be built on the site of the pub and the store built in the garden area at the side.

No details have yet been made public about who may run the store, but names such as Co-op, Tesco Express and Budgens have been mooted.

Residents said the store would have a detrimental affect on other shops in the village and ultimately close a number of stores down.

They have also raised concerns about extra traffic on the A370 and the already busy Kent Road.

The petition has been submitted to North Somerset Council.

Councillors are due to discuss the plans in October.

Congresbury Parish Council chairman, councillor Pete Sewell, said: "The fact that more than 1,300 people out of a population of 3,500 have signed this petition shows the strength of feeling against this application in the village.

"The parish council has also submitted a three-page letter, outlining its concerns.

"We recommended the application be refused on the grounds that the large convenience store would pose a grave risk to the village shops. If a store such as this was allowed to go ahead, it could wipe out our existing traders."