SAINSBURYS store in Prestwich will close despite public uproar, claims a Tory election hopeful.

Nicola Le Page, prospective Parliamentary candidate for Bury South, said her meeting with senior company management revealed they still maintained Prestwich was not part of their plans.

She said: "I am happy to support the principle of MP Ivan Lewis's campaign to save the store. But I have been explicitly told it will close as announced."

"No matter how many signatures are collected, the store simply does not fit the profile and business plan of Sainsburys in the future."

Mr Lewis handed in a petition to store bosses last week campaigning for the supermarket to be retained in the Longfield Centre. June 9 has been mapped out as the closure date.

Mrs Le Page added: "The most important thing now is to ensure Sainsburys is replaced with something that benefits the community in Prestwich and sustains the viability of the Longfield Centre."