Shoppers have threatened to boycott the Co-op after the company launched its next tactic to stop Asda building a store in Cinderford.

The Co-op has requested an oral hearing into the district council's decision to grant planning permission for the new Asda store off Valley Road.

A fortnight ago Judge Anthony Thornton QC ruled that a judicial review of the council's decision had 'no prospect of success'.

Nevertheless, the Co-op has requested the hearing which will put aside that ruling and mean representatives from their company as well as Asda, the developers Trilogy and district council will have attend a court hearing in person.

It is not known how long this process will take but it is expected to cause a significant delay and scotch Asda's hopes to have a store open in Cinderford in early 2014.

Amanda Watkins from the We Want Asda in Cinderford group said: "This is shocking. We cannot believe the Co-op is stooping so low to try to delay what we think is going to happen sooner or later.

"We are due to have a meeting to see where the group goes from here, but we will certainly want to attend the court hearing if we can.

"People have been talking about boycotting the Co-op and trying to stop others shopping there.

"It's not something I particularly want to encourage because people's livelihoods are at stake but it will be on the agenda."

Patrick Stones, managing director at Trilogy Developments, said: "We would hope that the hearing could be scheduled in the next couple of months and it should be dealt with fairly briskly. We will be going into it with confidence following the last ruling."

Staff at the Co-op were unavailable for comment.