Tesco is to make another application to extend its store in Bicester, despite its first attempt being foiled by planning guidelines.

Tesco wants to increase the size of the store in Pingle Drive, off Oxford Road, from 55,000 sq ft to 75,500 sq ft.

Its previous application was refused by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's department, which also turned down plans for a Waitrose store on the corner of Buckingham Road and Skimmingdish Lane, and a third supermarket off Southwold Lane. All three schemes were 'called in' by the Government because they were contrary to planning guidelines giving preference to town centre rather than out of town developments.

Tesco said it was going to submit a fresh planning application to Cherwell District Council in the New Year.

A spokesman said: "The feedback from our customers is that they still wish to see the town have the very best Tesco possible.

"Our decision to submit a new application is in response to such opinion and the continued and obvious need to improve the store."