A controversial plan for a new Lidl discount store in Witney has been rejected by West Oxfordshire district councillors.

The lowlands planning sub-committee yesterday turned down the proposal for a 1,000 square metre store at Ducklington Lane, on land next to the McDonalds drive-in.

The council received many letters of both support and protest.

Officers said a discount store would not harm existing shops in the town, but it was rejected because of the impact of extra traffic on the local road network, as well as poor building designs.