LUDLOW will lose another 10 precious car parking spaces for most of the year if Tesco wins the go-ahead to sell gardening goods outside its store.

The stores giant has asked South Shropshire District Council for permission to put up a marquee "for display and retailing of horticultural products" in its car park at the bottom of Station Drive.

The marquee will take up 10 spaces in the car park, which is used by both Tesco shoppers and town visitors.

In recent years Ludlow has lost parking through the building of the library and improvements to the roads around the Bull Ring.

A special council sub-committee is wrestling with the question of how to control traffic and parking in Ludlow.

However when the Advertiser called in at Tesco's car park during a peak time last week, shoppers were either non-committal or curious.

Christine Foster, who visited with her daughter Gail and grandchild Cody, said: "We're not really bothered but we use the car park quite often."

Susan Hayday, who was there with her husband Herbie, said: "We come once a fortnight. I'm quite a keen gardener so who knows?"

Tesco moved into the gardening business with trials in 35 stores around the country.

Now it is rolling out the concept to another 100 stores.

The marquee will run from the beginning of March to the end of October and concentrate on plant sales from April to June.

Spokesman Steve Gracey said: "We look for areas where there's space in the car park, where we think it will work and where we can add value.

"We like to see a vibrant town centre as well."