Judging by the response to our survey of the growth of 'Big 4' (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons) supermarkets in East Lancashire in the past decade, most people have a gripe with these behemoths of British business.

Farmers don't like supermarkets because they keep help keep milk at eye-wateringly low prices: many suppliers offer farmers 26p a litre when agriculture leaders say it needs to be well above 30p a litre to be sustainable.

That hard bargaining means we can buy a pint for 45p in our local store. But is it destroying farming?

Residents are averse to supermarkets because they are usually ugly blots on the landscape and are sure-fire way of driving more traffic down once-quiet roads.

And smaller shops dislike the superstores because they pinch the trade they once took for granted.

Yet here is the Catch 22 situation: supermarkets are almost always incredibly successful.

As our survey revealed, Tesco alone has opened 13 new East Lancashire stores in 10 years, from small Express convenience shops to giants like the one that dominates Burnley town centre.

In all that time, only one store (the Tesco superstore in Nelson) has closed after trade didn't match up to expectations.

So it is clear that despite every grievance, every letter of opposition to council planning committees and every stark warning issued from a farming leader, people love supermarkets. And supermarkets love opening new stores.

Of course, the Big 4 are not stupid. Each store opening is backed up by research on current shopping habits, average salaries and attitudes in target areas.

As the Tesco Nelson exception proves, supermarkets rarely make a wrong move.

Which is why it is important the media - including local newspapers - and decision makers, like MPs and councillors, keep an eye on what is happening to our towns and the impact on farmers and smaller traders of these megastores.

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson, who as a Conservative is no enemy of free enterprise, has suggested a supermarket ombudsman to keep an eye on things. It may not be a bad idea.

Despite UK supermarkets being one of the most competitive sectors in Europe, if not the world, there is a danger that in their battle with each other, the Big 4 forget their social responsibilities.

They may finally reach saturation point or attempt to build where a new store is clearly not needed.

That is why it is important for all parties - MPs, councillors, residents, farming leaders - to be vigilant.

Supermarkets have delivered massive benefits in cheap food and convenience to all sections of society.

But all power must be challenged to ensure it remains a force for good.