Star's widow backs campaign against Tesco supermarket

The veteran star of stage and screen, who was married to novelist Kate Fenton and lived in Grosmont, near Whitby, died in February aged 89 after suffering blood clots in his lungs

Before the actor, known to millions as TV's Bertie Wooster, passed away he had his wife put his name on a petition for him against the plans for a new Whitby Tesco which has attracted more than 2,500 other signatures.

Mrs Carmichael, whose writing name is Kate Fenton, said: "I have long since signed the petition, both on my own behalf and that of my, now late, husband."

Ian Carmichael shot to fame in the 1950s, with starring roles in films such Private's Progress, I'm All Right Jack and School for Scoundrels. He was awarded the OBE in 2003.

One of his last roles was in the medical drama The Royal, which was filmed in and around Whitby.

Helen Barker, from the Whitby Residents Against Tesco group, said: "We are so pleased that Kate Carmichael is backing our campaign.

"Twenty per cent of the people in the town have already come forward to sign our petition. This supermarket will rip the heart out of this lovely town."

The controversial plans for the supermarket in Whitby have provoked a wave of opposition after the Order of the Holy Paraclete agreed a deal for Tesco to build on their land on the outskirts of the port.

Residents say that the supermarket will destroy the character of the town. They say it will be an eyesore, and lead to thundering lorries destroying the peace and snarling up the streets.

Tesco has defended the proposals, saying that as many as 300 jobs could be created along with more than 90 affordable houses for the elderly and a medical centre.

Tesco say traffic improvements would also be made.

Scarborough Council is to consider all three supermarket applications at a specially convened planning meeting within the next two or three months.

A huge public meeting is being planned in the town before Scarborough Council makes its decision. The Order of the Holy Paraclete, which was founded in 1915, has declined to comment.